TVK Government Withdraws Student Protest Directive After Backlash

New Delhi, August 19, 2026 The TVK government led by Chief Minister Chandrasekaran Vijay Joseph on Wednesday, August 19, withdrew an order that had restricted students from participating in demonstrations organised by Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The decision came after the directive triggered criticism over attempts to prevent students and young people from joining political protests. The Department of Collegiate Education had issued the directive on August 17, asking principals of government arts and science institutions to coordinate with the School Education and Higher Education departments, police and district administration. The stated objective was to prevent male and female students, as well as young people, from “succumbing to the urge” to participate in agitations launched by the two political groups. The instruction referred to a government communication dated August 14 that called for interdepartmental coordination and joint action. The “most urgent” communication also required schools to submit details of the action taken to the Directorate of Collegiate Education by August 20. BJP leader Vinod P Selvam welcomed the decision “to ensure students don’t fall into this trap and focus on their career,” while describing CJP as “nothing but agents of chaos.” He further said, “Their leaders confuse, mislead and let the students fend for themselves while they go back into their 8-9 lakh worth monthly rental homes,” referring to the controversy surrounding CJP national co-convener and spokesperson Saurav Das’s luxury apartment in Delhi. Selvam also said, “Hope they don’t concede to the pressure of their ally, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and withdraw this notification.” CJP, meanwhile, strongly opposed the directive, with Saurav Das calling it “unconstitutional,” “illogical” and “irrational,” and demanding its immediate withdrawal. CJP has frequently faced allegations of links with the Aam Aadmi Party and had recently organised a large anti-government demonstration at Jantar Mantar over alleged shortcomings in India’s education system, demanding action that eventually resulted in Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The protest later turned violent when authorities were attacked during a march towards Parliament. The CJP platform was also described as becoming a space for opposition parties, azadi slogans and anti-Hindu sentiments, including crude and abusive remarks directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the government now withdrawing its student-related directive following the backlash, the episode highlights the continuing tension between controlling student participation in political protests and protecting the space for democratic expression.