The Directorate of Collegiate Education in Tamil Nadu has sought an explanation from Joint Director P Cynthia Selvi for issuing a controversial circular aimed at profiling students participating in political protests without obtaining prior departmental approval, officials said on Saturday.
Education Minister clarifies government’s position
The directive specifically called for monitoring students affiliated with Left-wing groups and student outfits. Clarifying the government’s stance, Higher Education Minister P Viswanathan stated in the Assembly that the directive had been issued at the administrative level without ministerial knowledge or approval, asserting that the government does not endorse surveillance or profiling of students participating in peaceful protests. “He did that out of personal bias. He sent the circular without even the knowledge of the District Collector, as CPI(M) leaders were planning a demonstration/protest,” Kumar added.
The initial circular, dated August 17, directed principals of government arts and science colleges to coordinate with school education authorities, district administrations, and police to dissuade students from joining demonstrations organised by political groups, according to official sources. He is due to retire in another six months.
Meanwhile, protests were organised by CPI(M) across its district headquarters and educational centres alleging that the government is covering up the issue by making low-level officials “scapegoats”. Minister Nirmal Kumar said Tahsildar concerned issued it on his own. The said tahsildar was transferred, and recommendations have been made to take necessary action against him, according to the minister. Speaking at a protest organised here, Shanmugam said holding lower-level departmental officials solely accountable was insufficient, demanding that the state government revoke similar directives reportedly issued to universities and initiate departmental inquiries against higher-level bureaucrats who convened meetings on the matter.
