Tamil Nadu To Withdraw Cases Against Farmers, Teachers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, that his government will withdraw cases registered against farmers and teachers for participating in protests during the previous DMK government.

The decision was made in recognition of the democratic right to protest and the legitimate concerns of farmers and teachers. Vijay stated that the cases were filed against people who had exercised their right to protest over their livelihoods, rights, and demands.

Several farmers faced cases in connection with protests against SIPCOT industrial projects, including in Tiruvannamalai district. In some instances, the stringent Goondas Act was also invoked against protesters. The proposed Parandur airport project was also met with opposition from farmers, who raised concerns over the loss of agricultural land, water bodies, and livelihoods. The airport proposal has since been scrapped by the present government.

Vijay described farmers as the “backbone” of Tamil Nadu and said the decision to withdraw the cases was taken on humanitarian grounds. The Chief Minister also announced the withdrawal of cases against teachers who had participated in protests through democratic means.

Vijay criticized the previous MK Stalin-led DMK government, alleging that protesters had been treated in an “inhumane” manner despite raising their demands through democratic protests. He said his government would stand with farmers and teachers and support their “just demands”.

The decision to withdraw the cases is expected to strengthen democratic rights and help rebuild trust between the government and the people. However, opposition parties have renewed demands for similar action in other protest-related cases, including NEET protests and NLC-related agitations.

The move marks a significant political decision by the Vijay government, particularly concerning cases arising from protests during the previous administration. The government's decision to withdraw cases against farmers and teachers is seen as a step towards recognizing the democratic right to protest and addressing the concerns of marginalized groups.

The withdrawal of cases is expected to bring relief to those who were affected by the protests and the subsequent cases filed against them. It is also seen as a move to strengthen the relationship between the government and the people, particularly in the context of democratic protests.

In conclusion, the decision by the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw cases against farmers and teachers is a significant step towards recognizing the democratic right to protest and addressing the concerns of marginalized groups. It is expected to have a positive impact on the relationship between the government and the people, and to strengthen democratic rights in the state.