On 19th August (Wednesday), Chief Minister Chandrasekaran Vijay Joseph’s TVK government rescinded an order that prohibited students from engaging in demonstrations organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). This decision was made in response to backlash.
The government had instructed officials to take coordinated action to stop young people attending schools and colleges from taking part in demonstrations and agitations launched by Left parties and CJP. The Department of Collegiate Education made the announcement in a formal communication on 17th August.
The department told principals of government arts and scientific institutions to join hands with the School Education and Higher Education departments, police and district administration. The aim was highlighted as the prevention of both male and female students, along with the youth, from “succumbing to the urge” to attend such agitations.
“DON’T GO TO CJP, LEFTIST RALLIES.”
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 19, 2026
That’s the message from the Tamil Nadu government to colleges, police & district administration: coordinate action to PREVENT students and youth from joining protests.
WHEN D.U. DID THIS CONG ECOSYSTEM ERUPTED. NOW THE CONG SUPPORTED TVK… pic.twitter.com/YBVIaDRfof
The directive alluded to a 14th August government letter that asked for interdepartmental cooperation and coordinated action on the issue. Additionally, the “most urgent” letter mandated schools to promptly provide the Directorate of Collegiate Education with specifics of the action taken by 20th August. The government’s concern regarding student and youth participation in rallies staged by the two political groups led to the issuance of the order.
BJP leader Vinod P Selvam welcomed the decision “to ensure students don’t fall into this trap and focus on their career,” referring to CJP as “nothing but agents of chaos.” He further conveyed, “Their leaders confuse, mislead and let the students fend for themselves while they go back into their 8-9 lakh worth monthly rental homes,” invoking the controversy around CJP’s national co-convener and spokesperson Saurav Das’s luxurious apartment in Delhi, which raised questions about his finances and the party’s funding.
The leftist outfits and @Cockroachisback are nothing but
— Vinoj P Selvam (@VinojBJP) August 19, 2026
“ Agents of Chaos”
Their leaders confuse, mislead and let the students fend for themselves while they go back into their 8-9 lakh worth monthly rental homes.
Appreciate the @TVKVijayHQ govt for passing this directive to… pic.twitter.com/ENQgd5WTU9
Selvam added, “Hope they don’t concede to the pressure of their ally, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and withdraw this notification.” On the other hand, the CJP strongly objected to the notification and, as Saurav Das termed it, is “unconstitutional,” “illogical” and “irrational,” seeking its immediate withdrawal.
Notably, CJP, which has often faced allegations of being associated with the Aam Aadmi Party, launched a massive anti-government protest at Jantar Mantar to demand action about lapses in the Indian education system, which eventually led to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
However, the agitation soon turned violent when authorities were attacked during a march towards Parliament. Furthermore, the CJP platform turned into a space for opposition parties, azadi slogans and anti-Hindu sentiments, characterised by crude language and abusive terms even directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
