Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Moves to Withdraw Farmers’ and Teachers’ Protest Cases
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said cases against many protesting farmers and teachers will be withdrawn.
The cases were filed from May 2021 to April 2026.
Farmers had protested against industrial projects and a proposed airport.
People near Parandur worried about losing farmland, water bodies and livelihoods.
Some farmers were even booked under a strict law called the Goondas Act.
Teachers had protested about pay, pensions, job security and working conditions.
The government said peaceful protest is an important democratic right.
The cases will still need to go through legal procedures and courts.
Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said earlier governments had also withdrawn thousands of protest-related cases.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced withdrawal of cases filed against peacefully protesting farmers and teachers between May 2021 and April 2026.
The cases include protests against SIPCOT industrial projects in Tiruvannamalai and the proposed Parandur airport.
Parandur protesters said the airport could harm agricultural land, water bodies and livelihoods; some farmers were booked under the Goondas Act.
The government cited humanitarian grounds, democratic principles and the need to strengthen trust between citizens and the government.
Udhayanidhi Stalin said the DMK had previously withdrawn more than 5,000 protest cases, while the CPI and PMK sought wider relief for NEET and NLC protesters.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the measure; affected groups include protesting farmers and teachers, with opposition comments from Udhayanidhi Stalin.
- What
- The government will begin withdrawing protest-related cases registered against farmers and teachers during the specified period.
- When
- The announcement was made on September 2, 2026, and covers cases registered between May 2021 and April 2026.
- Where
- The cited protests included SIPCOT-related demonstrations in Tiruvannamalai district and opposition to the proposed airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.
- Why
- The government said the withdrawal was based on humanitarian grounds and democratic principles and would restore public trust.
Vijay Government’s Position
DMK and Other Opposition Views
Justification for withdrawal
Vijay Government’s Position
Vijay said the cases represented legal harassment of people exercising democratic rights and should be withdrawn on humanitarian grounds.
DMK and Other Opposition Views
Udhayanidhi Stalin disputed any suggestion that such withdrawals were unprecedented, citing more than 5,000 cases withdrawn during the DMK government.
Treatment of protesters
Vijay Government’s Position
Vijay alleged that the previous DMK government treated farmers and teachers in an inhumane manner despite their peaceful protests.
DMK and Other Opposition Views
Stalin said the DMK government had withdrawn cases related to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the three farm laws and the Kudankulam nuclear plant.
Scope of relief
Vijay Government’s Position
The announced relief covers farmers and teachers, including protesters involved in the SIPCOT and Parandur disputes.
DMK and Other Opposition Views
The CPI and PMK urged the government to extend similar consideration to people booked during NEET and Neyveli Lignite Corporation protests.
- Announcement
- Made by C. Joseph Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly under Rule 110.
- Cases covered
- Cases registered against farmers and teachers between May 2021 and April 2026.
- Farmers’ protests
- Demonstrations opposing SIPCOT industrial projects and the proposed Parandur airport.
- Legal action
- Some farmers were booked under the Goondas Act.
- Parandur project
- The proposed airport project has been dropped or scrapped by the current government, according to the articles.
- Withdrawal process
- Officials must examine individual cases and file applications before the appropriate courts.
- Additional demands
- The CPI and PMK asked the government to consider withdrawing cases linked to NEET and Neyveli Lignite Corporation protests.
- Opposition claim
- Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed more than 5,000 protest-related cases had previously been withdrawn during the DMK government.
Sources
"Rights Denied": Vijay Targets DMK As He Withdraws Cases Against Farmers, Teachers
Vijay drops cases against farmers, teachers booked for protests
Big relief for Tamil Nadu farmers, teachers: CM Vijay moves to withdraw protest cases filed during DMK era
CM Vijay Moves To Withdraw Cases Against Farmers, Teachers Filed Under DMK Rule
'Rights Were Denied': Vijay Hits Out At DMK, Drops Protest Cases Against Farmers, Teachers
