CHENNAI: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced that all pending cases against farmers and teachers who protested for their demands during the previous DMK regime would be withdrawn.

In an indirect reference to the DMK regime, he announced in the Assembly under Rule 110 on Wednesday, stating that several cases had been filed against farmers and teachers who held protests between May 2021 and April 2026.

"Permission was not given to farmers and teachers to hold agitations through democratic means. Owing to these cases, they have been facing hardships until now," he said.

Hailing farmers, the Chief Minister said they were considered the backbone of the nation's economy and food security, adding that several cases were still pending against those who had protested for their demands.

Recalling the protests against the Melma SIPCOT project, the Chief Minister said the Goondas Act had been invoked against some farmers during the agitation against the project.

"The previous government had filed cases against farmers without humanity when they protested against projects such as the proposed airport. Due to the pending cases, the teachers and farmers have been under mental stress," the Chief Minister said.

He announced that the government had decided to withdraw cases against teachers and farmers who had protested for their demands without resorting to violence. He said the decision was taken on humanitarian and democratic grounds.

Assuring the farmers and teachers, the Chief Minister said the government would support their legitimate demands. The announcement was welcomed by the Congress, CPM, CPI, ADMK (CVe Shanmugam), PMK, IUML and VCK.