Commissioner seeks explanation from Joint Director of College Education over letter to principals of government colleges in T.N.

The Commissioner of Collegiate Education in Tamil Nadu has issued a showcause notice to the Joint Director of Planning and Development at the Directorate of Collegiate Education. The Joint Director is being asked to explain why he sent a letter to principals of all government colleges, instructing them to take action to prevent students from participating in protests organized by Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

This directive came after a special secretary issued a memorandum quoting minutes from a Law and Order meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary. The letter, sent on August 17, has sparked controversy and backlash from the Left parties, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) coalition partner, and civil society. The Joint Director acted independently without consulting the Collegiate Education Commissioner.

The Joint Director has one week to respond to the notice. The controversy led to the Special Secretary withdrawing the directive on August 19, which in turn prompted the Joint Director to retract the letter. The Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA) has strongly condemned the showcause notice, asserting that the Joint Director followed orders from above.