The DMK government has banned the conduct of any political and religious events in private schools across the state by amending the Private Schools Regulation Rules, with the revised provisions published through an official government notification. This change is viewed as curtailing any kind of dissent against the DMK that emerges through pro-Hindu organisations in general and RSS activities in particular.
Hindu Munnani has condemned the government move. Critics argue, “Whether in schools, can the Bible be read or slogans be raised or religious songs be sung during their prayer?”
As per the government order, reportedly dated on March 2, the private schools will no longer be permitted to host programmes related to political or religious activities within their campuses. It has also prohibited events that may incite division or communal tensions among students. In addition, the new rules state that schools must refrain from holding events that are unrelated to the core educational objectives of the institution. Officials said the amendments are intended to ensure that school premises remain focused on academic and student development activities rather than being used for unrelated gatherings or events.
The government order, according to critics, is silent on Christian and Muslim educational institutions where religion-related prayers are held, besides lessons from the Bible and Quran on a daily basis. The DMK government conducted several programmes in government schools but denies the RSS permission to conduct any programmes in government, aided, or private schools strictly.
தனியார் பள்ளிகளில் தடை
தனியார் பள்ளிகளில் அரசியல், மதம் சார்ந்த பிரிவினையை தூண்டும் நிகழ்வுகளுக்கும், கல்வி நோக்கங்களுடன் தொடர்பில்லாத நிகழ்ச்சிகளை நடத்தவும் தமிழ்நாடு அரசு தடை விதிப்பு
தனியார் பள்ளிகள் ஒழுங்குமுறை விதிகளில் திருத்தம் செய்து தமிழ்நாடு அரசு அரசிதழில் வெளியீடு… pic.twitter.com/zUaQmX5fAc
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) March 5, 2026
Hindu Munnani, in a statement, described that the GO has been issued with an ulterior motive. Its state coordinator CB Shanmugam said there have been 12,000 private schools in Tamil Nadu… Ungaludan Stalin (Stalin with you) and Naan Mudalvan (I am CM) were held during working hours in government schools. They were termed government programmes but ones that promote and propagate the DMK government’s achievements and outreach. Were there related educational purposes? How did the Directorate for Private Schools allow such programmes?
"நான் முதல்வன்", "உங்களுடன் ஸ்டாலின்" போன்ற நிகழ்ச்சிகள் பள்ளிகள் செயல்படும் நேரத்திலேயே நடத்தப்பட்டது. அப்போது கல்வி சம்பந்தமில்லாத நிகழ்ச்சி நடத்தக்கூடாது எனக்கூறும் தனியார் பள்ளி இயக்குனரகம் இவற்றை எப்படி அனுமதித்தது? இதுபோன்ற மேலும் சில கேள்விகளை இந்து இளைஞர் முன்னணி தமிழக… pic.twitter.com/m4MMjVf9mZ
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) March 5, 2026
“We would like to ask the DMK government whether the ban would be applicable to minority-run educational institutions, including government-aided ones? In Christian-run educational institutions, nuns and pastors roam around in their full religious attire. Can it be termed non-religious according to them? In government-aided minority institutions, events totally not connected to educational programmes were held by cine personalities, YouTubers, and media houses in the guise of educationists, which received brickbats from the public. Will such events also be banned?”
Hindu Munnani points out that “birthday celebrations of Dy CM Udhaya Nidhi Stalin, CM M K Stalin, EV Ramaswamy Naicker, and Karunanidhi were organised in schools. Will the GO be applicable to such events also? There are so many doubts that arise in our minds. Private schools are being run with a philanthropic motive with donors and public contributions. They function with public recognition and support.
Even before the country attained freedom there have been many such schools in Bharat and in Tamil Nadu. Religious, community, spiritual, and medicine-related events have been held in the past. They were organised during the holidays, which in no way hinder the educational scheme of students. The public benefited from such events. The government is intimidating private schools. The GO is issued before the polls with an ulterior motive. We urge the DMK government to withdraw the GO. If not, we will stop any non-educational-related events held in public, private, government, and government-aided institutions. Hindu Munnani will organise protests with public support if that happens.”
The DMK government is becoming increasingly intolerant of any form of dissent against its party and is creating various obstacles by denying permission for political rallies in public places, forcing organisers to approach the courts for approvals. Even when permissions are granted, they often come with multiple riders. As the ruling government, it is exercising several powers to control dissent, and the targeting of private schools appears aimed at restricting programmes that legitimately address social developments as part of the larger society.
Such decisions are seen as imposing constraints on religious activities other than those of minorities, which critics argue amounts to a direct attack on Sanatana Dharma and its education-related programmes. They say this discourages institutions from celebrating Hindu festivals or discussing social issues connected to the community. Observers view these developments as part of a broader agenda of the DMK government, which has earlier declared its intent to eradicate Sanatana Dharma from Tamil Nadu, and consider these measures to be aligned with that larger ideological stance.
