Vijay government withdraws circular barring students from joining protests
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Chennai: The Vijay government in Tamil Nadu has withdrawn a controversial circular directing authorities to prevent school and college students and young people from participating in protests organised by left parties and the Tamil Nadu Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
The Directorate of Collegiate Education, under the Higher Education Department, issued the official circular on August 14. Following strong protests, the government withdrew the order on Wednesday.
The circular directed the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, police and district administrations to coordinate measures to prevent students from participating in political protests and agitations.
Officials were also instructed to take strict action to discourage students and young people from joining such protests and submit reports detailing the measures taken.
The Directorate of Collegiate Education said the move was aimed at reducing the influence of political parties on campuses and ensuring that academic activities were not disrupted.
Left parties, however, opposed the government’s decision, while CJP national co-convener Saurav Das described the move as unconstitutional and irrational.
The withdrawal came amid growing protests over the directive.
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party but fell short of a majority. Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Left parties subsequently extended unconditional outside support to the government, enabling it to secure a majority in the House.
The government’s move came at a time when gen Z protests over examination and education-related issues have been intensifying across the country.