Tamil Nadu government order seeking steps to prevent students from protesting withdrawn after row

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A protest against NEET in Chennai in July | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

The Department of Collegiate Education has withdrawn its order issued on August 17, 2026, urging colleges to take action to prevent students from participating in protests and agitations after it kicked off a controversy.

The order, addressed to principals of all Government Arts and Science Colleges and Colleges of Education, asked them to take appropriate coordinated action to prevent students from participating in any protests or demonstrations. The order specifically referred to protests organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and sought an action-taken report from all institution heads. It was subsequently withdrawn.

The order was passed after the Directorate received a letter from the Special Secretary of Higher Education on August 14, which stated: “The Chief Secretary to government insisted on interdepartmental cooperation among School Education, Higher Education, and Police Departments, as well as the District Administration, to work jointly to prevent students and youth from succumbing to the urge to participate in protests and agitations.” The letter also sought an action-taken report from the Department by August 20.

This topic was the very first point in Part Two of the agenda for the Law and Order Meeting for the month of July 2026, which was chaired by the Chief Secretary on July 28.

The issue was brought to light by Dindigul Member of Parliament R. Sachithanantham who shared a similar order issued by the Tahsildar of Guzhiliyamparai seeking details of members of Left parties and the CJP in the Taluk on his X handle. That order, too, has been withdrawn and the Tahsildar was transferred.

While the Jantar Mantar protests in New Delhi were on, Tamil Nadu had its share of agitations in support. Outrage over police action on students in New Delhi led to several sit-in agitations, notable among them being the one at Balan Illam , the Communist Part of India (CPI) State headquarters in Chennai. It was attended by several political party leaders, including the DMK, the VCK, the IUML, and the MNM. There were spontaneous sit-ins organised by college students and a few schools as well. This trend seems to have prompted the State administration to issue the disputed order.

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