Tamil Nadu to withdraw cases against anti-CAA protesters, lockdown violators

Chennai: Tamil Nadu will withdraw all the cases filed against anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protesters,  chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami informed on Friday.  The government will also withdraw cases against Covid-19 lockdown violations.

The chief minister was speaking at a rally in Thenkasi.  It is estimated that a total of 10 lakh cases against Covid-19 lockdown violators. will be taken back.  However,  the  cases involving violent activities and cases where E-passes were used in fraudulent ways will not be withdrawn under the clemency move.

The move is widely seen as a move in the build-up for upcoming assembly election, to please large sections of the electorate.

"All the cases filed against the public for violating the Covid lockdown rules and the anti-CAA protests will be withdrawn," Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami said at the rally.

"Government also will consider on withdrawing cases against the people who protested during Kudankulam anti-nuclear protests, it'll be considered and done under the purview of law," the Chief Minister added.

The government had filed around 1,500 cases involving demonstrations and rallies held by various organizations in the state. However, the government will exclude those cases involving violent crimes.

The ruling AIADMK of the chief minister Palaniswami,  is an ally of the BJP,  the main champion of the CAA and protagonist in the anti-CAA stir,  and therefore the chief minister's move has come as a surprise for many. 

However,  MK Stalin, leader of the main Opposition party the DMK, had consistently been demanding the withdrawal of cases against anti-CAA protesters,  and also asking the government to convene the assembly and pass a resolution against the CAA.    The government's action in all probability is a step to thwart the opposition's chances of taking advantage of the issue.