No motive behind circular on student participation in CJP, Left parties’ protests: Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister

No motive behind circular on student participation in CJP, Left parties' protests: Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister The Minister's statement comes after a now-withdrawn directive issued by the Higher Education Department.

Key points

• Viswanathan on Thursday (August 20, 2026) informed the Assembly that the State administration had no ulterior motive in sending a circular to college principals in connection with the student protests.
• He was referring to a recent directive issued by the Higher Education Department, citing Chief Secretary M.
• Subsequently, the Directorate sent a circular to all college principals asking them to submit a report by August 20.
• Sengottaiyan remarked action was being initiated against the tahsildar of Guziliamparai in Dindigul district.
• Viswanathan remarked the objective of the circular was to "ensure discipline and peace" on college campuses.

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan on Thursday (August 20, 2026) informed the Assembly that the State administration had no ulterior motive in sending a circular to college principals in connection with the student protests.

He was referring to a recent directive issued by the Higher Education Department, citing Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar's diktat, which had sought coordinated action to prevent students from participating in protests organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The order was withdrawn after an outrage.

Replying to CPI members T. Ramachandran and Marimuthu in the Assembly, Mr. Viswanathan remarked the objective of the circular was to "ensure discipline and peace" on college campuses.

"The administration has no aims to control the rights of students and youth. This administration respects the genuine rights of students, " he stated.

Notably, the Minister remarked the Higher Education Department had sent the circular to the Commissioner of College Education on August 17 regarding the need to maintain discipline and peace in colleges during Statewide protests. Subsequently, the Directorate sent a circular to all college principals asking them to submit a report by August 20.

"When it was noticed that some words referring to certain political parties and organisations had been wrongly included in the circular, it was immediately withdrawn, " he remarked.

Earlier, Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan remarked action was being initiated against the tahsildar of Guziliamparai in Dindigul district. This person had directed revenue office-holders to collect details of members of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).

He remarked the tahsildar had been sent from the headquarters for a survey and had unnecessarily written to revenue office-holders directing them to collect details of members of the Communist parties.

"It was brought to my notice by 8.30 p.m. On August 18, and he was immediately relieved of his post. We are taking action against him, " he remarked.

Taken together, the developments around no motive behind circular on student participation in CJP, Left parties' protests: point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.