The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, has directed authorities to take coordinated steps to prevent school and college students and youth from participating in protests and agitations
organised by Leftist parties and the Tamil Nadu Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), according to an official communication issued by the Department of Collegiate Education.
In a letter dated August 17, the Commissioner of Collegiate Education asked principals of government arts and science colleges to work with the School Education and Higher Education departments, police and district administration to ensure that male and female students, as well as youth, do not participate in such protests.
The directive refers to a government letter dated August 14, which called for inter-departmental coordination and joint action on the matter.
The communication, marked “Most Urgent”, also directs colleges to immediately submit details of the action taken to the Directorate of Collegiate Education.
According to sources, the TVK government has asked the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, police and district administrations to take coordinated action to prevent student participation.
The order has been issued amid heightened political activity and follows the government’s stated concern over student and youth participation in protests organised by the two political groups.
BJP Reacts To Tamil Nadu Govt’s Order
The directive drew a sharp response from BJP leaders. BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam described the Leftist outfits and CJP as “Agents of Chaos”, alleging that their leaders mislead students and leave them to face the consequences while returning to their own homes.
He welcomed the Vijay government’s move, saying it would help students avoid being drawn into protests and instead focus on their careers. He also urged the government not to withdraw the notification under pressure from its ally, the CPI(M).
Meanwhile, BJP leader Radhika Khera attacked the Tamil Nadu government over the directive, describing it as a “diktat” to colleges, police and district administration to prevent students and youth from joining CJP and Leftist rallies.
Drawing a comparison with the Congress’ protests over student participation at Delhi University, Khera questioned where Rahul Gandhi and his party leaders were following the Tamil Nadu government’s order.
All About CJP-NEET Protests
The order comes a week after a series of student demonstrations over alleged NEET and other examination paper leaks. In Delhi, the protests included a hunger strike and a subsequent march towards Parliament organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
On July 20, thousands of students joined the Parliament march, among other demands seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and changes to the examination system.
The situation escalated when protesters attempted to move past police barricades in central Delhi. Police used tear gas and lathis to disperse the crowd. Footage that later emerged on social media showed police personnel allegedly manhandling some protesters, prompting accusations of excessive force.
The Delhi Police has defended the operation, saying officers resorted to force after some protesters allegedly became violent and pelted security personnel with stones.
The protest ended after Pradhan resigned from his position and the government assured the protesters that it would provide compensation to the families of students who died by suicide, withdraw cases against protesters and consider their demands for examination reforms.
