‘Rights Were Denied’: Vijay Hits Out At DMK, Drops Protest Cases Against Farmers, Teachers

Last Updated:September 02, 2026, 2:55 PM IST

Making the announcement in the state Assembly under Rule 110, Vijay said the decision had been taken on humanitarian grounds and in keeping with democratic principles.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the withdrawal of all cases registered against farmers and teachers between May 2021 and April 2026 for peacefully protesting over their livelihoods, rights and legitimate demands. Making the announcement in the state Assembly under Rule 110, Vijay said the decision had been taken on humanitarian grounds and in keeping with democratic principles.

“Multiple cases were filed by the previous government. Democratic rights were denied. Till today they (farmers and teachers) are struggling because of cases filed against them,” Vijay said.

“Our government which respects democratic principles has decided to withdraw all cases against teachers and farmers on humanitarian aspect,” he said, adding that his government would stand by farmers and teachers and their “just demands”.

Vijay specifically referred to cases registered against farmers who protested against the proposed SIPCOT industrial estate in Tiruvannamalai district. Some of the protesters, he said, had even been booked under the Goondas Act. He also cited the protests against the proposed airport at Parandur, where farmers had raised concerns over the loss of agricultural land, water bodies and livelihoods.

“All those cases also will be withdrawn,” Vijay said. He said the decision would strengthen democratic rights and reinforce trust between ordinary people and the government.

The Parandur airport project had become a major point of contention between the previous government and farmers who opposed the proposed project because of its potential impact on agricultural land and water resources. The withdrawal will also cover cases against teachers who staged peaceful protests for their legitimate demands during the period from May 2021 to April 2026.

Udhayanidhi Stalin Hits Back

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged Vijay’s suggestion that the move represented a departure from the previous government. Stalin said this was not the first time cases against farmers and protesters had been withdrawn, claiming that more than 5,000 cases had been withdrawn during the DMK government’s tenure.

“One Minister says this is first time in history cases have been withdrawn. That is not factually right,” Stalin said.

He cited cases registered against people who participated in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the three farm laws and the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, saying more than 5,000 such cases had been withdrawn during the DMK government.

Stalin also raised the issue of sanitary workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation who have been protesting at Ripon Buildings, demanding permanent employment, higher wages, ESI and PF benefits and regularisation of contract workers.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

How will this decision affect the Parandur airport project?

The primary reporting on the withdrawal of protest cases does not state how the decision will affect the Parandur airport project. However, related reporting confirms that the Tamil Nadu government has officially abandoned and cancelled the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur. The government plans to identify an alternative location for Chennai’s second airport after conducting technical feasibility studies.

Powered by

Ask News18

Read More