Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces withdrawal of cases against protesting farmers and teachers

CHENNAI: The TVK government on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of cases filed against farmers and teachers for peaceful protests during the previous regime, but the move quickly triggered a political showdown in the Assembly, with the opposition questioning its intent and demanding similar relief for protesters booked after the new government took office.

Making the announcement under Rule 110, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said cases registered between May 2021 and April 2026 against farmers and teachers who staged peaceful protests over livelihood, rights and welfare issues would be withdrawn. While allies and several opposition members welcomed the move, DMK whip E V Velu alleged that the announcement had an "ulterior motive". Former minister M R K Panneerselvam asked whether the government would also withdraw cases filed in the past 100 days against farmers protesting for crop loans.

Speaker J C D Prabhakar intervened, rejecting Velu's objection and saying the CM had made the announcement within the Assembly rules. The CM said his government was committed to protecting freedom of expression and the right to protest within the framework of the law. The beneficiaries include farmers booked for opposing the SIPCOT industrial estate project in Tiruvannamalai, where some protesters were also detained under the Goondas Act, and those who participated in the prolonged agitation against the proposed Parandur airport over concerns about the loss of farmland, water bodies and livelihoods. Teachers booked while protesting for their demands and rights will also get relief.

Calling the decision a humanitarian and democratic measure, Vijay said withdrawing the cases would strengthen democratic rights and build trust between the government and the people. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, however, challenged PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna's claim that this was the first time a Tamil Nadu government had withdrawn cases against farmers. He said the previous DMK regime had withdrawn more than 5,000 cases filed against farmers and activists who protested against hydrocarbon and methane projects, the Kudankulam nuclear plant, CAA and the farm laws. Taking a swipe at the ruling side, Udhayanidhi pointed to sitting minister Vanniarasu, who was booked during the Kudankulam protests, as a "standing testimony" to the previous government's decision to withdraw protest-related cases.