Tamil Nadu government withdraws circular directing curbs on students' protests

CHENNAI: The Directorate of Collegiate Education in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday withdrew a circular that instructed principals of government arts and science colleges to take joint administrative measures to prevent students from taking part in agitations organised by Left parties and CJP.

The initial circular, issued on August 17, directed college heads to coordinate with the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Police, and District Administration to curb youth participation in demonstrations organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), seeking immediate action-taken reports from principals.

However, in a fresh communication issued on Wednesday by the Joint Director of Collegiate Education, the department officially retracted the order with immediate effect, without offering any explanation. Reacting strongly to the curbs, Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged that the move was initiated at the behest of the Centre.

"This is a Union government's circular: Amit Shah is rattled. Modi is rattled because of the protest by the students in Jantar Mantar and other parts of India. The way they wanted to silence the youth of India is unacceptable to us, and we condemn these kinds of steps by the Union government," the TNCC chief told reporters at a press conference in Madurai.

Congress leader's stance on student rights

Referring to party leader Rahul Gandhi's stance on student rights, Tagore added, "We know that our leader Rahul Gandhi has already expressed his view that the students' democratic rights have been taken... And we are clear that, in Tamil Nadu also, the Higher Education Department must be very clear that the right of the students to protest in a peaceful manner should not be curbed. And peaceful protest and democratic rights should not be silenced."

Terming the circular "completely unconstitutional," PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss demanded disciplinary action against the officials who issued the directive.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he asserted that students have a democratic right to protest, noting that youth movements have historically driven political change globally and within Tamil Nadu. "Students are an integral part of the political system, and you cannot deny them their rights," he added.

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'Asking students not to protest is unconstitutional'

"Asking students not to protest is unconstitutional. The students in Tamil Nadu have every right to protest for their rights. This has been happening globally in every country and nationally in every state. Whoever has sent this circular should be punished and charges should be framed," he said. DMK MP Kanimozhi too slammed the state administration over the withdrawal of the circular, alleging that suppressing democratic rights and backtracking after public backlash has become a pattern.

"Are officials taking such actions without government orders? Or is this government testing the waters to start its fascist politics and backtracking by blaming officials when opposition arises," she asked on 'X'. "Attempting to snatch democratic rights and then retreating upon facing resistance has become a recurring saga," she added. DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant stated that while students have a constitutional right to protest, agitations must strictly adhere to discipline and legal boundaries.

"This is a democratic nation where everyone has the right to protest for an issue, give priority to their opinions, and speak out -- everyone has rights here. But when it crosses boundaries and exceeds limits, the government, judiciary, and police are forced to intervene," she added, urging youth to ensure their actions remain peaceful and disciplined for a secure future.

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Student body stages protest

Meanwhile, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration on Wednesday condemning the collegiate education department's controversial circular that sought to curb student participation in political protests.

An SFI representative stated that the state government retracted the circular only after the student body condemned the directive and announced statewide protests across educational institutions. Raising questions over administrative hierarchy, the outfit asked whether the Joint Director issued the order without the knowledge of the Director, Higher Education Minister, or the Chief Minister.

Asserting students' democratic right to agitate over basic amenities and institutional issues, the SFI demanded that the higher education minister provide a formal explanation regarding how such a circular was approved. SFI is the student wing of CPI(M).