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 livelihood, rights, and legitimate demands, according to Indiatimes. Making the announcement under Rule 110 in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds and in keeping with democratic principles to protect freedom of expression and the right to protest within the framework of the law, as reported by NDTV.
Tamil Nadu Government Announces Withdrawal of Protest Cases Against Farmers and Teachers
The relief specifically covers farmers who faced legal action while opposing the SIPCOT industrial estate project in Tiruvannamalai district—where some individuals had been detained under the Goondas Act—as well as those who participated in prolonged agitations against the proposed Parandur airport over concerns regarding the loss of agricultural land, water bodies, and livelihoods. Teachers booked while demonstrating for their rights and demands will also have their cases dropped. Chief Minister Vijay emphasized that withdrawing the cases would strengthen democratic rights and build trust between the government and the people.
Political Reactions and Assembly Debate
The announcement triggered a lively political debate in the Assembly, with allies and several opposition members welcoming the move while others raised objections. DMK whip E. V. Velu alleged that the announcement carried an ulterior motive,
and former minister M. R. K. Panneerselvam questioned whether the administration would also withdraw cases filed over the past 100 days against farmers protesting for crop loans. Speaker J. C. Prabhakar intervened to reject Velu’s objection, noting that the Chief Minister had made the announcement in accordance with Assembly rules.
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged a claim from PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna that this marked the first time a Tamil Nadu government had withdrawn cases against farmers. Stalin stated that the previous DMK regime had dropped more than 5,000 cases filed against protesters who opposed hydrocarbon and methane projects, the Kudankulam nuclear plant, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the farm laws. Stalin pointed to sitting minister Vanniarasu—who was booked during the Kudankulam protests—as a standing testimony to the previous administration’s record on withdrawing protest-related cases.
Additional Infrastructure and Digital Service Announcements
Alongside the legal relief for farmers and teachers, Chief Minister Vijay unveiled a broader package of infrastructure initiatives and public service updates during his address. The government announced Rs 4,800 crore worth of drinking water schemes, which include establishing a 400 MLD desalination plant at Minjur to supply North Chennai, Avadi, Ponneri, and Minjur, alongside a Rs 500-crore project to provide round-the-clock drinking water across the Avadi Municipal Corporation. Additional allocations include Rs 1,000 crore for Madurai and Cuddalore municipal corporations, nine municipalities, and 20 town panchayats, alongside Rs 300 crore earmarked for the first phase of renovating 33 old combined drinking water schemes and a Rs 410-crore project to enhance the capacity of the Chennai Kilpauk Water Treatment Plant.
Further announcements included Waste-to-Energy projects in Tirunelveli and Salem municipal corporations worth a combined Rs 547 crore, projected to generate 9 MW and 10 MW respectively. The transport sector is also set for digital reforms starting September 15, 2026, with the introduction of digital Driving Licences and Registration Certificates featuring QR codes for electronic verification. Under the new rollout, driving tests will yield digital licences on the same day, and transport-related services will progressively transition under Anywhere Registration and Licensing.
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