Chennai, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan has clarified in the Assembly that a controversial circular sent to government colleges containing erroneous references to specific political parties and organisations was immediately withdrawn.
He reassured the House that the government remains committed to protecting the legitimate rights of students and youth.
A circular, issued on August 17, directed college heads to coordinate with the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Police, and District Administration to curb youth participation in demonstrations organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), seeking immediate action-taken reports from principals.
When the CPI legislator K Marimuthu raised a special calling attention motion with regard to the circular in the Assembly, the Minister replied that measures concerning student protests were promptly brought to the Chief Minister’s attention.
Stating that to ensure law, order, and a peaceful academic atmosphere across government colleges, a circular was issued asking principals to submit reports on campus discipline, Viswanathan said: “However, the circular inadvertently included names of specific political parties and organisations”.
Pointing out that upon noticing the erroneous phrasing, the Directorate of Collegiate Education immediately withdrew the circular, the minister emphasised that there was no ulterior motive behind the circular, reiterating that the government respects and safeguards the rights of students and youth rather than curbing them. PTI
