PIL In Madras High Court To Keep Schools, Colleges Free Of Political Activities; Flags Students' Involvement In CM Vijay's Birthday Celebrations

V Kavi Ganesan, an advocate and Councillor for Greater Chennai Corporation (Division 12, Zone I), has moved the Madras High Court to ensure that no educational institutions' premises are used for political, ideological, communal, personality glorification, divisive or any other activities unrelated to the educational objectives of the institution in the State of Tamil Nadu. 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 submitted that there were videos circulating online that showed the TVK members interacting with the school children and raising slogans praising their leader. It has been submitted that using children for such slogan-shouting within an educational institution was wholly inappropriate and contrary to the neutrality expected of schools. The petitioner also pointed to another incident where approximately 3000 students in a school were made to sit under the hot sun for a prolonged period of time to create a human face impression of the Chief Minister as part of the birthday celebration. It has been submitted that this incident occurred even when the parents of the kids were seen objecting to and complaining about the same. The petitioner submitted that such an incident raises not just a question on political activity but on the welfare of children, health, safety, and institutional accountability. The petitioner pointed to another incident where the principal of a college was seen cutting a cake along with students and members of the institution. The petitioner argues that colleges, particularly public institutions, must not be converted into venues for political glorification. 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. The petitioner also added that there was an urgent need for the State to frame and enforce clear guidelines applicable to all schools and colleges to ensure that political activities are not conducted within the campus and that students are not used for political purposes. The petitioner thus sought for a direction to the authorities to strictly implement and enforce Rule 35(3) and Rule 35(4) of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 2023, as inserted by G.O.Ms.No.51, School Education Department, dated 02.03.2026, and strictly adhere to Rule 81 of the Tamil Nadu Educational Rules, 1968 and ensure that no political activities are carried on inside the school premises. Case Title: V Kavi Ganesan v The Chief Secretary to Government and Others Case No: WP 25159 of 2026

PIL In Madras High Court To Keep Schools, Colleges Free Of Political Activities; Flags Students' Involvement In CM Vijay's Birthday Celebrations

Upasana Sajeev

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PIL In Madras High Court To Keep Schools, Colleges Free Of Political Activities; Flags Students' Involvement In CM Vijay's Birthday Celebrations

Upasana Sajeev

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