Archive · 22 Aug 2026
CPI(M) Demands Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary’s Removal Over Circular
The CPI(M) says a government circular wrongly tried to stop college students from joining certain political protests.
It wants Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar removed and investigated.
The party says he chaired a meeting connected to the circular.
The circular was sent to university registrars and has not been withdrawn, according to the report.
The Higher Education Minister called the circular a mistake, but the CPI(M) said that explanation was not enough.
The party also objected to a separate order in Dindigul seeking information about Left-party members.
That order’s tehsildar was transferred, but no punishment was reported.
The CPI(M) and CPI provide important outside support to Chief Minister Vijay’s government.
The party says these actions raise questions about whether officials are answerable to the elected government.
The CPI(M) demanded the immediate removal of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar.
The party accused Kumar of overseeing a circular directing higher-education institutions to prevent students from joining protests by the Cockroach Janata Party and Left parties.
CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam called for an inquiry and stringent action against officials responsible.
The party also protested a Dindigul directive seeking details of Left-party functionaries and members; the issuing tehsildar was transferred.
The CPI(M) and CPI, which support the minority Vijay government, said the circular violated democratic and constitutional rights.
- Who
- The CPI(M), led in Tamil Nadu by state secretary P. Shanmugam, criticized Chief Minister Vijay’s government and Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar.
- What
- The CPI(M) demanded Kumar’s removal, an inquiry, and action over a higher-education circular and a separate Dindigul directive.
- When
- The demands and statewide protests were reported on Saturday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The protests took place statewide, including a demonstration in the city, while the second directive was issued in Gujiliamparai, Dindigul district.
- Why
- The CPI(M) said the circular restricted democratic rights by discouraging student participation in protests and questioned officials’ accountability to the state government.
CPI(M)’s Position
Reported Government Explanation
Whether the circular was an official error
CPI(M)’s Position
The CPI(M) said the circular was illegal, violated constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights, and required accountability for the officials responsible.
Reported Government Explanation
The Higher Education Minister described the circular as a mistake, but the article does not report a commitment to withdraw it or punish those responsible.
Chief Secretary’s responsibility
CPI(M)’s Position
The CPI(M) alleged that Sai Kumar chaired the meeting connected to the directive and said he was unfit for office.
Reported Government Explanation
The article does not provide a direct response from Sai Kumar or the Chief Minister to the demand for his removal.
Officials’ accountability
CPI(M)’s Position
The CPI(M) questioned whether officials were accountable to the Tamil Nadu government or acting independently.
Reported Government Explanation
The reported administrative response to the Dindigul directive was the tehsildar’s transfer, with no punitive action mentioned.
- Demand
- Immediate removal of Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar
- Main complainant
- CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state secretary P. Shanmugam
- Contested circular
- Directed heads of colleges and universities to prevent students from joining protests by the Cockroach Janata Party and Left parties
- Circular status
- The circular was reportedly sent to university registrars and had not been withdrawn
- Dindigul directive
- A Gujiliamparai tehsildar ordered revenue officials to collect details of Left-party functionaries and members
- Administrative action
- The tehsildar was transferred without punitive action, according to the article
- Political support
- The CPI(M) and CPI each have two legislators and provide crucial outside support to the minority Vijay government