Tamil Nadu: CPI(M) holds Chief Secretary responsible for circular against student protests

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday held Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar responsible for the state Higher Education Department's circular that cautioned students against participating in protests organised by Communist parties and another political group. The party's State secretary P. Shanmugam alleged that the circular was aimed at suppressing democratic dissent.

Mr. Shanmugam strongly condemned the circular and questioned how the Chief Secretary could have taken such a major decision without the knowledge of the Chief Minister. "How did the idea of specifically targeting and suppressing the Left parties and other democratic parties come about?" he asked, adding that it was natural to question the authority under which the decision was made.

He contended that the meeting attended by the Chief Secretary had denied students their right to protest and had allowed police to enter educational institution campuses. Describing this as an act of ruthless suppression, he said, "The Chief Minister should ensure such incidents do not take place in the future."

The CPI(M) adopted a resolution at its State secretariat meeting condemning the circular. The meeting also discussed a separate, since-withdrawn circular issued by the Guziliamparai tahsildar that directed officials to collect details of members of Left parties. Mr. Shanmugam expressed doubts about the guidelines issued by the district Collector to revenue officials and held the Revenue Minister and Secretary responsible for that act.

The Higher Education Department circular, according to the CPI(M), advised students not to "succumb to the urge" to participate in protests organised by Communist parties and another political group. The party has not said whether the circular has been withdrawn. The state government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations made by Mr. Shanmugam.