CHENNAI: Collegiate Education Commissioner P Ponniah has sought an explanation from Joint Director P Sindhiya Selvi over the controversial circular directing government college principals to monitor students and prevent them from participating in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and Left parties, though the communique fell silent on a law and order meet chaired by the Chief Secretary, a meeting which allegedly led to the circular.
CPM MP Su Venkatesan condemned the notice to the Joint Director, saying the government should instead seek an explanation from the Chief Secretary on how such a sensitive circular was issued without the Chief Minister’s approval.
Sindhiya Selvi has been asked to explain within a week why the August 17 communication was issued without obtaining prior permission from the Commissioner.
The notice questioned her authority to issue such a sensitive communication without the Commissioner’s knowledge and approval.
The Joint Director had instructed principals to keep a watch on students and ensure that they did not participate in the proposed protest. The circular triggered protests by SFI and AISF and criticism from Left parties, following which the communication was withdrawn on August 19.
The controversy deepened after official records showed that the circular was based on a directive issued at a law-and-order meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary on July 27.
A Higher Education Department communication had directed departments and district administrations to work together to prevent students and youth from participating in protests.