Delhi Govt removes Holi from 2026 dry day list

In a rare policy shift, Delhi Government has removed Holi from the list of notified dry days for 2026, allowing licensed liquor shops to operate on March 4, the main festival day.

The move marks a departure from established practice, under which alcohol sales are typically prohibited on major religious and national festivals in the interest of public order and safety. Officials said the decision was communicated through an excise notification issued in January, clarifying that wine and spirit outlets across the National Capital Territory will function as usual on Holi, subject to standard licensing conditions.

Authorities stressed the relaxation does not dilute existing legal requirements. Retailers must continue to adhere to licensing norms, including mandatory age verification of customers. Law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify vigilance to ensure celebrations remain peaceful and responsible.

At the same time, the government has retained other dry days for the first quarter of 2026 under Rule 52 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010. As per the order issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Excise, liquor sale will remain prohibited on Republic Day (January 26), Maha Shivratri (February 15), Id-ul-Fitr (March 21), Ram Navami (March 26) and Mahavir Jayanti (March 31).

AAP accuses BJP-led govt of double standards

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday accused the BJP-led Delhi government of initiating a “real liquor scam” by allowing liquor shops to remain open on Holi, alleging double standards in the party’s ideological stance.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the decision to permit liquor sales on the festival day was aimed at generating revenue. In a post on X, he claimed that keeping shops open on Holi amounted to granting permission to earn crores on a religious occasion, and questioned whether central probe agencies would scrutinise the move.

Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj also criticised the government, sharing the excise order and alleging that the BJP had previously targeted AAP over liquor policy but was now taking a contradictory position. He accused the ruling party of defaming AAP leaders in the past and termed the present decision as exposing its “fake Hindutva face.”

Bharadwaj alleged liquor outlets had remained operational on other major occasions as well, including Chhath and Ravidas Jayanti. He questioned whether the government had assessed potential law and order concerns arising from alcohol consumption during public celebrations. — TNS