Tamil Nadu bars students from joining CJP and Left-led protests, scraps order after backlash

The Tamil Nadu government has withdrawn an order directing the authorities to prevent students and youth from participating in protests organised by Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign in the state, ANI reported on Wednesday.

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had in May formed the government with the support of two Left parties – the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – along with the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League.

The directive was issued on Friday and withdrawn on Monday following a backlash.

Saurav Das, the spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, had described the order as “unconstitutional” and “irrational”, The Pioneer reported.

However, BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam supported the directive, describing the Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party’s Tamil Nadu unit as “agents of chaos” and accusing their leaders of misleading students.

The Department of Collegiate Education has withdrawn its earlier directive seeking coordinated action to prevent students of government arts and science colleges and youth from participating in protests and agitations.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Joint Director of Collegiate… https://t.co/ISiT0SjN9M pic.twitter.com/hokeN53RUx— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026

The order also came against the backdrop of protests in Tamil Nadu over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for medical education.

It had directed the...

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