CHENNAI: Gandhian Sasi Perumal (59) who has been fighting for enforcing prohibition in Tamil Nadu for over four decades, died near Marthandam in Kanyakumari after staging demonstration atop a BSNL tower for round five hours. Fire and Rescue Services personnel rescued him from the towers and he was profusely bleeding from the nose.
At Kuzhithurai government hospital, the doctors declared that he was brought dead. Sasi Perumal is survived by two sons, daughter and wife Makilam Ammal. His body has been taken to the government hospital at Asaripallam near Nagercoil for post mortem.
Reacting to the sudden demise of Sasi Perumal, political leaders in Tamil Nadu have urged the State government to implement prohibition immediately.
Sasi Perumal had underwent hunger strike in 2013 in Chennai for 33 days and on was arrested on March 3 when his health condition deteriorated. An year later, Sasi Perumal underwent another long fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding nation-wide prohibition. After undergoing 35 days of fasting, he met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and submitted a petition. Very recently, on July 27, Sasi Perumal and his associates staged a demonstration in front of Shastri Bhavan demanding nation-wide prohibition and courted arrest.