TNGCTA Condemns Notice to Joint Director Over Student Protest Circular

In Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Govt Collegiate Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA) has strongly condemned an official notice issued to Cynthia Selvi, joint director of collegiate education, seeking an explanation for a circular that instructed colleges to prevent students from participating in protests organised by Left parties and CJP.

Commissioner of collegiate education P Ponniah issued the notice to Selvi, stating that the controversial circular had been released without his permission. Selvi was given a one-week deadline to submit her explanation.

Criticising the move, TNGCTA General Secretary S Suresh stated that the decision to prevent students from taking part in the protests was originally conveyed by the special secretary, who had also sought an action-taken report before August 20. Suresh pointed out that the directive was dispatched to the registrars of state universities as well, arguing that singling out the joint director was an attempt to pin the entire responsibility on her. The association has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notice.

Separately, the State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS) urged the council of ministers to declare the instructions issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar null and void. SPCSS General Secretary P B Prince Gajendrababu warned that the chief secretary's directions, recorded in the minutes of a law and order review meeting, pose an ongoing threat to academic freedom and campus democracy.

On Saturday, CPM members also staged a demonstration demanding action against the chief secretary for issuing the circular.