Circular on TN student stir issued to ensure discipline and peace on campus: Minister

CHENNAI: Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan on Thursday informed the Assembly that the state administration had no ulterior motive in sending the circular to college principals to restrict students from participating in protests organised by the Left parties and the Tamil Nadu Cockroach Janata Party.

Key points

• Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu informed the Assembly that there is no delay in granting scholarships under Chief Minister's Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Assistance Scheme.
• Similarly, in another incident involving Left parties, Revenue Minister KA Sengottaiyan remarked action is being initiated against the tahsildar of Guziliamparai in Dindigul district.
• So far, `5.82 lakh had been provided to him this year, Vanni Arasu continued.
• Responding to the matter raised by CPI MLAs T Ramachandran and Marimuthu, Viswanathan stated the objective was to "ensure discipline and peace" on college campuses.
• Subsequently, the directorate sent a circular to all college principals asking them to submit a report by August 20.

Meanwhile, the minister remarked the higher education department had sent a circular to the commissioner of college education on August 17 regarding the need to maintain discipline and peace in colleges during statewide protests against NEET.

Subsequently, the directorate sent a circular to all college principals asking them to submit a report by August 20. Viswanathan remarked the circulars were immediately withdrawn after noticing that it had referred to certain political parties and their student organisations.

Similarly, in another incident involving Left parties, Revenue Minister KA Sengottaiyan remarked action is being initiated against the tahsildar of Guziliamparai in Dindigul district. This person had directed revenue office-holders to collect details of members of the CPI and CPM. Minister denies delay in granting scholarship.

Replying to an matter raised by DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan, the minister stated misinformation is being spread on social media with political motives.

Chezhiaan had sought clarification on the case of Bharathidasan, a student pursuing doctoral research in Malaysia, against the backdrop of reports that he had not received the scholarship assistance for the current year. Vanni Arasu remarked the scheme provides up to `36 lakh per student. While `31 lakh was sanctioned for other expenses and research-related requirements, he remarked, in Bharathidasan's case, `5 lakh had been fixed towards tuition fees.

In short, circular on TN student stir issued to ensure discipline and peace on is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.