Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt will withdraw cases registered between May 2021 and April 2026 against farmers and teachers who participated in “peaceful protests over livelihood, rights and welfare issues”, chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced in the assembly on Wednesday.Making the announcement under Rule 110, Vijay said his govt, which assumed office on May 10, was committed to “protecting freedom of expression, the right to protest and other democratic rights” within the framework of law. He said several farmers continued to face cases over protests during the previous govt, including those opposing the Sipcot industrial estate project in Tiruvannamalai district. Some protesters were also booked under the Goondas Act, he said. The govt’s decision will be benefit farmers who participated in prolonged protests against the proposed Parandur airport project, citing concerns over the loss of agricultural land, water bodies and livelihoods. Teachers faced cases for protesting for their demands and rights, causing considerable mental distress, he said.Vijay said the move would strengthen democratic rights and trust between govt and people, and assured farmers and teachers that govt would support their legitimate demands.Allies and opposition parties welcomed the announcement, but DMK whip E V Velu alleged it had an “ulterior motive” to project the previous DMK govt in a bad light. Former minister M R K Panneerselvam asked if TVK govt would withdraw cases filed in the past 100 days against farmers demanding crop loans.Leader of the opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin disputed minister Aadhav Arjuna’s claim that this was the first withdrawal of cases against farmers. He said DMK govt under M K Stalin had withdrawn more than 5,000 cases against farmers and activists who protested against hydrocarbon and methane projects, Kudankulam, CAA and farm laws. He cited minister Vanniarasu, booked over the Kudankulam protest, as an example.Meanwhile, former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugam and CPI floor leader T Ramachandran appealed chief minister to withdraw the politically motivated cases filed against political leaders.
