Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The Tamil Nadu government has withdrawn a recent directive that had asked authorities to keep school and college students away from protest programmes and agitations.

The earlier communication, issued through the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE), had instructed officials in the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, police and district administration to take steps to prevent student participation in protest events. The order was reportedly intended for programmes linked to Left-wing organisations and the Tamil Nadu Cockroach Janta Party.

Following criticism and legal scrutiny, the department has now reversed the decision. In a fresh order issued on Tuesday, Joint Director of Collegiate Education Cynthia Selvi P. formally withdrew the August 17 communication. The order was sent to the principals of government arts and science colleges across the state.

The development comes after recent comments from Chief Justice Surya Kant, who had emphasised that students have a fundamental right to protest, even if their views are later found to be incorrect. His remarks drew attention to the importance of allowing democratic expression on campuses.

The earlier directive had also surfaced at a time when the Cockroach Janta Party launched its "School Thik Karo" campaign on August 15, while student protests involving Gen Alpha schoolchildren were being reported in different parts of the country over a range of issues.

With the withdrawal of the order, the state has effectively stepped back from its attempt to restrict student participation in such demonstrations. The move is being seen as a course correction in response to growing concerns over students' rights to peaceful protest.