Tamil Nadu withdraws student protest directive

The India — Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, issued a directive on August 14, 2026, instructing education departments, police, and district administrations to prevent students and youth from participating in protests organized by Left parties and the India — Rashtriya Janata Dal (CJP). The directive, marked 'Most Urgent', required schools and colleges to submit action-taken reports by August 20. It drew immediate criticism from the CJP, which called it unconstitutional, and from opposition parties. The India — Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported the directive. Amid mounting criticism, the India — Guozijian withdrew the order on August 19, 2026, via a communication from Joint Director Cynthia Selvi P. The reversal came against a backdrop of nationwide student protests over examination paper leaks and education issues, including a month-long CJP-led agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar that led to clashes on July 20 and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 30. The episode highlighted tensions between the government and student activists, and raised questions about the government's approach to political participation by students.