CM Vijay Birthday Celebration Row: Madras High Court Issues Notice On Plea To Keep Educational Institutions Free From Political Activities

The Madras High Court has issued notice on a plea seeking to ensure that educational institutions in the state are not used for political, ideological, communal, personality glorification, divisive or any other activities unrelated to the educational objectives.

The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan issued notice on a plea filed by V Kavi Ganesan, an advocate and councillor in Greater Chennai Corporation (Division 12, Zone I). The bench has sought the response of the Chief Secretary, the Secretary (School Education Department), and the Secretary (Higher Education Department).

The petitioner had approached the court seeking a direction to the authorities to strictly implement the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 2023, and the Tamil Nadu Educational Rules, 1968 and ensure that no political activities are carried on inside the school premises.

As an interim measure, the petitioner had also sought the suspension of heads of educational institutions who had permitted political activities in the educational institutions recently, in connection with the birthday celebration of the Chief Minister of the State on June 22. 

The petitioner submits that children are the most vulnerable and impressionable sections of society, who do not understand the difference between civic education and political propaganda or between voluntary participation and institutional pressure. It has been argued that educational institutions must be kept free from political celebrations, political slogans, personality-cult promotion, and partisan activities.

The petitioner pointed out that on June 22nd, the birthday of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party was widely celebrated by his party cadres. While so, the petitioner pointed out that TVK members had entered and participated in events within or connected to educational institutions in various districts in Tamil Nadu.

The petitioner also pointed out instances where the birthday of the CM was celebrated in schools and colleges, by cutting cakes, distributing party emblems, and even making around 3000 kids sit under the hot sun for a prolonged period of time to create a human face impression. 

The petitioner submitted that when party garments, including shawls, flags, symbols, or slogans, are brought into Government schools, institutional neutrality is compromised, which is against democracy and contrary to the principle that a student must be educated to think freely rather than follow political messaging.

The petitioner added that the petition was not against the celebration of birthdays, cultural events, sports events, welfare activities or public functions as such, but only to ensure that educational institutions and students cannot be utilised for activities having a political colour, party identity, political symbolism, personality glorification or partisan objective.

The petitioner submitted that the concerned institutions were duty-bound to conduct an inquiry into these incidents, identify the persons who permitted such events, and take action in accordance with the law.

Case Title: V Kavi Ganesan v The Chief Secretary to Government and Others

Case No: WP 25159 of 2026