After reports emerged of communal polarisation in schools and colleges of Tamil Nadu by right-wing groups, the state government has drafted a circular warning institutions in the state against giving space to and patronising such groups. However, ToI reports that the content of the official document has not been communicated to the Directors of School education, matriculation schools and elementary education.
The circular, issued by the S Venkatesan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education, was reportedly readied last month and states, “It has been brought to the notice of the Government about the Hindu Ilaignar Munnani and Hindu Manavar Munnai function at schools and colleges to integrate students of secondary and higher secondary level by promoting moral education, devotion, mythology, epics and the history of Hindu leaders. Hindu Ilaignar Munnani would integrate college students (Hindus) by forming units comprising 10 students in every college. The unit would watch the activities of Hindu girl students in the colleges with an aim to prevent any ‘love jihad’ activities.”
It further directed all schools and colleges to ensure that they do not violate guidelines by allowing these activities on campus.
"I request you to prevent the polarisation of youth on the lines of religion, creed and community. We request you to take necessary action in this regard and send an action-taken report on the issue without any delay since the matter will be put forth in the next law and order meeting," states the circular.
However, when contacted, the deputy secretary reportedly told ToI that while the circular had been drafted it was never circulated. School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan too denied that such a directive was issued.
“The School Education Department has not issued a directive with regard to communal mobilisation among school and college students. Any directive or circular would be released only after securing the assent of the Chief Minister,” he told the media.
The minister's denial comes soon after he rejected a circular by the education department warning of stringent action against institutes that continue caste-based discrimination.
