CHENNAI — In a major executive action announced on the floor of the State Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has ordered the withdrawal of all cases registered against farmers and teachers who participated in peaceful agitations between May 2021 and April 2026.
Framing the move as a commitment to democratic values and humanitarian principles, the Chief Minister directly targeted the governance record of the previous DMK administration for restricting public protest.
Key Protests Covered by the Waiver
The state executive order effectively clears legal hurdles for activists and community members involved in high-profile civil demonstrations over the past five years.
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Tiruvannamalai Land Protests: Complete dismissal of charges against farmers demonstrating against the SIPCOT industrial acquisition, including the revocation of cases filed under the stringent Goondas Act.
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Parandur Greenfield Airport Project: Erasure of all police complaints filed against local agricultural workers resisting land acquisition and environmental disruption around the proposed airport site.
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Service Rights Demands: Relief for educators facing legal proceedings following state-wide demonstrations for wage hikes and service regularisation.
Opposition Counter-Offensive and Municipal Strikes
The policy announcement triggered a sharp parliamentary exchange, with opposition leaders challenging the administration’s narrative.
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DMK Rebuttal: Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin rejected claims that the move was unprecedented, citing that the previous DMK government withdrew over 5,000 cases related to anti-CAA, farm law, and Kudankulam nuclear plant demonstrations.
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Sanitary Workers’ Standoff: The opposition called immediate attention to an ongoing 15-day strike at Ripon Buildings, where over 2,000 Greater Chennai Corporation sanitary workers are demanding permanent positions, wage adjustments, and statutory benefits.
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Cabinet Response: Minister Rajmohan assured the Assembly that official documentation is currently being finalized to reach an equitable resolution with the municipal union.
Political Outlook
By clearing the legal docket of protest-related charges, Chief Minister Vijay’s administration moves to solidify its public standing among rural agrarian communities and public service unions, signaling a tactical departure from the previous government’s enforcement posture.
