Vijay Orders Withdrawal of Farmer, Teacher Cases
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against farmers and teachers who participated in peaceful protests between May 2021 and April 2026. The cases were filed during the previous DMK government over demonstrations involving livelihood, rights and other demands.
Vijay Orders Protest Cases Against Farmers Withdrawn
Making the announcement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110, Vijay said his government had decided to withdraw the cases on humanitarian and democratic grounds.
The decision covers farmers booked during protests against the proposed SIPCOT industrial estate in Tiruvannamalai district. Vijay noted that the Goondas Act had also been invoked against some protesters during the agitation.
Cases arising from the prolonged movement against the proposed Parandur greenfield airport will also be withdrawn.
Farmers had opposed the airport project over concerns that agricultural land, waterbodies and livelihoods would be affected. The Vijay government has already announced that the Parandur airport plan will not proceed.
Tamil Nadu Teachers to Get Legal Relief
Vijay said cases registered against teachers who protested through democratic means for employment-related rights and other legitimate demands would also be dropped.
He argued that pending criminal proceedings had caused considerable distress to teachers and farmers who had exercised their right to protest.
Vijay Government Backs Right to Peaceful Protest
The Chief Minister said his administration would stand with farmers and teachers pursuing legitimate demands and respect democratic rights including freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
Vijay said withdrawing the cases would strengthen those rights and help rebuild trust between ordinary citizens and the government.
The announcement also represents a reversal of legal action initiated during the previous administration against several major protest movements in Tamil Nadu.
