Assam: Govt declares 'Dry Day' on Sep 26 to mark Srimanta Sankardeva's Janmotsava
Guwahati: The Assam government has announced Saturday, September 26, as a dry day (no sale of liquor) to mark the 572nd janmotsava (birthday) of Saint-Reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.
Issuing an order to this effect on in Kamrup (Metro) Friday, Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu stated that the "dry day" is being enforced as per Rule 326 (b) (iv) of the Assam Excise Act, 200, (Amendment in 2018), the 26th September.
"During the period, possession or sale or distribution of spirituous, fermented, or intoxicating liquors or other substances of alike nature is completely prohibited," the DC said.
On the aforesaid dry day, all the wholesale, IMFL Retain "OFF" and "ON" shops including club "on", hotel "on", as well as country spirit shops, will remain closed in Kamrup Metropolitan district.
As per the government, any violation of these rules shall attract "penal action as per law."
It needs mention here that Srimanta Sankardev was a 15th–16th-century Assamese figure. He was a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer, and a figure of importance in the cultural and religious history of Assam.
Sankardeva is largely credited with giving a common shape to Assamese culture and beginning the "naam ghar" tradition in the state.