The department’s communication instructed officials to take “appropriate coordinated action” to prevent students and youth from participating in such protests. The notice described the matter as “very urgent”.

The directive referred to a government letter dated August 14 that called for coordination between the School Education, Higher Education and Police departments, along with district administrations.

Minutes after issuing the communication, the College Education Department withdrew the directive. Joint Director of Collegiate Education Cynthia Selvi P said the department’s earlier communication on the matter had been rolled back.

The College Education Department is a state department under Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

The Department of Collegiate Education has withdrawn its earlier directive seeking coordinated action to prevent students of government arts and science colleges and youth from participating in protests and agitations.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Joint Director of Collegiate… https://t.co/ISiT0SjN9M pic.twitter.com/hokeN53RUx

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— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026

The TNCJP is a group in Tamil Nadu that has approached the Election Commission seeking registration as a regional political party. The group is reportedly led by Tamil Nadu-based lawyer C Brahma Balasubramaniam.

Its members say they want to focus on issues including social justice and the rights of workers, students and farmers in the state.

The Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE) has directed the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Police Department, and district administration to coordinate and take joint measures to prevent students and youth from participating in protests and agitation… pic.twitter.com/xUOoHknoNB

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026

The group says it is inspired by the mainstream Cockroach Janta Party movement but is a separate organisation. The national online movement was started by Abhijeet Dipke and gained attention among young people through social media and protests.

The cockroach became a symbol of the movement after remarks targeting protesting youth. Supporters used it to represent survival and resistance.

In Tamil Nadu, the name has also been used at local protests, including demonstrations over employment and examination-related issues. The withdrawal of the College Education Department’s communication came shortly after officials were instructed to coordinate action concerning student participation in such protests.