The Tamil Nadu government has withdrawn an order directing the authorities to prevent students and youth from participating in protests organised by Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign in the state, ANI reported on Wednesday.

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had in May formed the government with the support of two Left parties – the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – along with the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League.

The directive was issued on Friday and withdrawn on Monday following a backlash.

Saurav Das, the spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, had described the order as “unconstitutional” and “irrational”, The Pioneer reported.

However, BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam supported the directive, describing the Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party’s Tamil Nadu unit as “agents of chaos” and accusing their leaders of misleading students.

The order also came against the backdrop of protests in Tamil Nadu over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for medical education.

It had directed the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, the police and district administrations to take “appropriate, coordinated action” to discourage students from participating in the protests. They had also been asked to submit reports about the action taken.

On Wednesday, Joint Director of Collegiate Education Cynthia Selvi P said the communication had been withdrawn.

The protests in Tamil Nadu came amid youth demonstrations across the country against the alleged irregularities in the education system. In Delhi, youth protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations ended with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dharmendra Pradhan resigning as the Union education minister.

Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.

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