Chennai: Higher education minister P Viswanathan on Monday apologised for the circular in which asked colleges to prevent students from taking part in the protests organised by Left parties and Cockroach Janata Party.During the debate on demand for grants for school education and higher education, CPM floor leader R Chellasamy demanded the suspension of the official who issued the circular. Viswanathan replied that the circular which was issued four days ago was withdrawn immediately. “We have sought an explanation from the concerned official. After getting the reply, the state govt will initiate action,” he said.The joint director of collegiate education has issued a circular following a letter from the special secretary of higher education department, in which chief secretary M Sai Kumar insisted on interdepartmental cooperation among the school education, higher education and police departments and district administration to work jointly to prevent students and youth from succumbing to the urge to participate in protests and agitations organised by Left parties and CJP. The collegiate education commissioner sought an explanation from the joint director. However, the teacher association urged govt to withdraw the notice.During the debate, Viswanathan announced that TVK-led govt will not accept National Education Policy as it proposed to implement three-language policy. “The state’s two-language policy ensured more students joined higher education,” he said.
