6 days ago
Tamil Nadu CPM Seeks Action Over Alleged Protest Restrictions
The CPM says some Tamil Nadu officials tried to stop people and students from joining Left-organised protests.
It says a government circular told several departments and the police to coordinate these efforts.
P Shanmugam called the instructions illegal and against the constitutional right to protest.
He asked Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to cancel the decision and take action against senior officials.
He also accused a Gujiliamparai tahsildar of ordering officials to collect information about CPM and CPI members.
The district administration reportedly first considered transferring the tahsildar and later sought an explanation.
The Law Minister said the tahsildar acted because of personal preferences.
Shanmugam rejected that explanation and called for stronger disciplinary action.
CPM state secretary P Shanmugam urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to act against officials accused of restricting Left-organised protests.
Shanmugam sought cancellation of a decision made at a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary and withdrawal of a related circular.
The circular allegedly directed education departments, police and district administrations to discourage students and the public from joining Left protests.
He also accused Gujiliamparai tahsildar officials of collecting details of CPM and CPI members in Dindigul district.
Shanmugam said the alleged actions were abuses of authority and demanded stringent accountability rather than an apology.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu CPM state secretary P Shanmugam, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Chief Secretary, other state officials and the Gujiliamparai tahsildar.
- What
- The CPM demanded action over an alleged government effort to restrict Left protests and over alleged collection of party-member details.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Gujiliamparai in Dindigul district.
- When
- The article does not provide a specific date; it refers to a recent circular, meeting and Assembly apology.
- Why
- The CPM says the alleged measures violate the right to protest, target Left organisations and represent misuse of official authority.
CPM’s allegations and demands
Government’s reported responses
Restrictions on protests
CPM’s allegations and demands
The CPM says the circular and related decision were illegal, unconstitutional and deliberately targeted Left organisations. It opposes police involvement in educational institutions to discourage student participation.
Government’s reported responses
The article reports that the government sought an explanation from a Joint Director who forwarded the communication and that the Higher Education Minister apologised in the Assembly; it does not state a full government defence of the circular.
Action against the tahsildar
CPM’s allegations and demands
Shanmugam says collecting details of CPM and CPI members was intimidation and misuse of authority requiring stringent action, not treatment as a minor disciplinary lapse.
Government’s reported responses
The Law Minister, R Nirmalkumar, reportedly said the tahsildar acted according to personal preferences. The district administration reportedly moved from indicating a transfer after training to seeking an explanation under Rule 17A.
Key facts
- Complainant
- P Shanmugam, Tamil Nadu CPM state secretary
- Main demand
- Cancel the decision from the Chief Secretary-chaired meeting, withdraw the circular and take action against officials
- Alleged circular
- It reportedly directed education departments, police and district administrations to discourage participation in Left protests
- Additional allegation
- The Gujiliamparai tahsildar allegedly instructed village administrative officers to collect CPM and CPI membership details
- Reported disciplinary response
- An explanation was reportedly sought from the tahsildar under Rule 17A of the Tamil Nadu Government Servants’ Conduct Rules
- CPM position
- Shanmugam said accountability and stringent action were needed rather than an apology
Sources
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