CPI(M) holds Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary responsible for circular on student participation in Left parties’ protests
Mr. Shanmugam contended the meeting (where the decision to curb protests was taken), attended by the Chief Secretary, had denied students their right to protest.
On August 20, 2026, the CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam harshly criticized the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department's circular, which discouraged students from participating in protests organized by Communist parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). He accused Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar of being directly responsible for the circular.
Shanmugam questioned how the decision to suppress the Left parties and other democratic parties was made, pointing out that the Chief Secretary made this major decision without consulting the Chief Minister.
The meeting that decided to curb protests, attended by Sai Kumar, Shanmugam argued, denied students their right to protest and allowed the police to enter educational institutions, calling it an act of ruthless suppression. The CPI(M) resolved at its state secretariat meeting to condemn this circular, which had also directed officials to collect data on members of Left parties.
The meeting further criticized a circular issued by Guziliamparai tahsildar, directing officials to gather details of Left party members, with doubts cast on guidelines given by the district Collector to revenue officials. Shanmugam suggested the Revenue Minister and Secretary should also be held accountable for this act.
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