Tamil Nadu government takes U-turn, withdraws order restricting students from protests

The Tamil Nadu government has withdrawn an order that directed authorities to prevent school and college students from participating in protests and agitation programmes, reversing the directive within a day.

The earlier communication had asked the School Education department, Higher Education department, police and district administrations to take measures to stop students from joining such programmes. The move was aimed at protests organised by Left-wing parties and the Tamil Nadu Cockroach Janta Party.

Earlier order triggered controversy

The Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE) had issued the communication as student protests were being organised in different parts of the country. The directive came shortly after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched its 'School Thik Karo' campaign on August 15.

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The campaign saw Gen Alpha school students taking part in protests over several demands.

The government's decision to withdraw the order came amid a wider discussion over students' rights to participate in protests. Last week, Chief Justice Surya Kant had underlined that students have a fundamental right to protest, while recalling his own participation in student activities.

The Chief Justice also noted that students may sometimes hold views that could be mistaken, but that does not take away their right to express them.

DCE withdraws August 17 communication

In an order issued on Tuesday, Joint Director of Collegiate Education Cynthia Selvi P stated that the department had withdrawn its earlier communication dated August 17.

The order was sent to principals of all Government Arts and Science Colleges across Tamil Nadu.

The Directorate of Collegiate Education operates under the state's Higher Education Department and is responsible for overseeing government arts and science colleges.

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The withdrawal effectively reverses the earlier direction that sought preventive measures against students participating in protests and agitation programmes.

The government's U-turn comes less than 24 hours after the directive was issued, bringing the immediate restriction on student participation to an end. The development also comes as student-led campaigns and protests have continued to draw attention across the country.