CPI(M) seeks Chief Secretary’s removal; CPI questions T.N. Chief Minister’s ‘silence’ on circular

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Saturday demanded the removal of Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, saying that he was serving on an extension, and that a new officer be appointed in his place.

Meanwhile, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay should break his silence on the circular sent by the Chief Secretary and explain the reasons that led to the issuance of a circular advising officials to prevent “students and youth from succumbing to the urge” to participate in protests organised by the Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). “The Chief Secretary is only an officer. The Chief Minister should take responsibility for it,” he said.

Participating in a demonstration in Chennai, Mr. Shanmugam said Mr. Sai Kumar had not been appointed by the State government but by the Election Commission of India. “What is the need to give him an extension? Appoint another officer of your choice in his place. We do not expect him to be a Communist,” he said. The demonstration also condemned the tahsildar of Guziliamparai, who had directed officials to collect details of members of Left parties.

Mr. Shanmugam asked whether Mr. Vijay wanted to run the government with the support of the Left parties or with that of officials and the Chief Secretary. “The CPI and CPI(M) extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government. Were the Chief Secretary and other officials not aware of this fact? We cannot tolerate the actions of officials. The government should put an end to the issue in a smooth manner,” he said, and asked why the Directorate of Collegiate Education had been asked to provide an explanation, while Mr. Sai Kumar, despite being responsible for the circular, had been spared.

Mr. Veerapandian said the Chief Secretary’s circular reflected the mindset of the British colonial government, which sought to prevent protests against its rule. “The Chief Secretary seems to forget that India is a democracy and everyone has the right to protest,” he added.

Leading the CPI(M)’s protest in Madurai, MP Su. Venkatesan condemned the Chief Secretary for curbing the students’ democratic right to protest against State policies and decisions. He termed the circular a dangerous encroachment on democratic freedoms and also condemned the State administration’s actions following nationwide student demonstrations.

“If an order issued by Delhi university became the outcome of a meeting led by the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, the Tamil Nadu government must clarify who is responsible for it. Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar must take responsibility for this issue. Suspicions have arisen as to whether the BJP and RSS directives have officially or unofficially penetrated the Tamil Nadu administration. If this is true, the Tamil Nadu administration is moving in a very dangerous direction,” he added.