Education & Career
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Tamil Nadu withdraws order on student protest participation
The Hindu··20 Aug
Tamil Nadu's Department of Collegiate Education withdrew a circular that had asked principals of government arts and science colleges to stop students joining protests. Joint Director Cynthia Selvi P told colleges the 17 August communication was withdrawn. That note had cited a 14 August government letter and sought action with police and district administrations. No reason was given.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you study in a Tamil Nadu government arts and science college, the 17 August circular that asked principals to stop you joining named protests was withdrawn on 19 August.
- Anyone in school education can note the original 14 August government letter had also gone to School Education, Higher Education, police and district administrations.
- If you joined CJP or Left-led protests, the withdrawn note had asked colleges for action-taken reports. That demand is now off the circular.
What's Happening
- Cynthia Selvi P issued the withdrawal to principals across Tamil Nadu on 19 August, without stating a reason.
- The earlier communication referred to preventing students from succumbing to the urge to join protests and agitations.
- Opposition voices and CJP criticised the directive as a curb on peaceful protest. The government then pulled it back.
How Fast The Circular Appeared And Disappeared
- A government letter dated 14 August was followed by the Collegiate Education circular on 17 August and the withdrawal on 19 August.
- The Tribune noted the circular did not, on its face, create a new statutory ban on all protest. It instructed preventive, coordinated measures on the protests named in the government letter.
- Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government is new in office, and CPI and CPI(M) provide outside support in the Assembly, a backdrop to the Left being named in the note.
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