Following widespread public anger and strong opposition from Hindu organisations, Tamil Nadu Education Minister Rajmohan retracted and toned down his earlier statement that students displaying religious symbols would not be allowed on educational campuses.
Responding to the backlash, the Minister later clarified: “I used to sport sacred ash and kumkum during my student days.” He indicated that there would be no ban on such religious marks.
சரியான அடி போல
சமூக வலைத்தளத்தில் இந்துக்களின் ஒற்றுமை pic.twitter.com/qSmINJfl3j— K.Ashok adv (@ashok777_kalam) June 14, 2026
One netizen commented: “After opposition and outrage from Hindus, the Minister backtracked on his orders.”
கயிறு கட்டக்கூடாது சொல்லி தான் பாரேன்
ஹிந்துக்களிடம் இருந்து எதிர்ப்பு வந்தவுடன் அடங்கி விட்டான் ஹிந்து உணர்வு
பள்ளிகளில் மாணவர்கள் விபூதி, குங்குமம் வைப்பதில் பிரச்சனை இல்லை”பள்ளிக் கல்வித்துறை அமைச்சர் ராஜ்மோகன் pic.twitter.com/u8la0d6UM5
— K.Ashok adv (@ashok777_kalam) June 14, 2026
Earlier, Rajmohan announced that students and individuals would no longer be permitted to wear or display caste or religious symbols, including sacred threads, inside educational campuses.
The statement triggered strong opposition from Hindu students and parents, who argued that such practices are part of long-standing traditions and questioned why Hindus appeared to be singled out.
Critics asked whether similar restrictions would be imposed on Muslims wearing hijabs and burqas, and on nuns and pastors in convent schools who attend classes in traditional religious robes and wear holy crosses.
Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara Subramaniam, in a post on X, said: “Separate rules for the Hindu religion. The TVK government says no wristbands or religious marks for Hindu students. Will it also ban Muslim students from wearing skull caps and hijabs or burqas, and Christian students from wearing holy crosses? It should clarify its stand on these questions. Is this part of the secular nature of the TVK government?
“Hindu students study in missionary-run convent schools where Bible verses are recited daily. Pastors, principals and nuns attend in religious attire, and nuns wear crosses along with their convent dress. Will the TVK government consider this non-secular? Will the Minister announce that Christian minority institutions should be converted into general institutions?”
இந்து மதத்திற்கு மட்டும் ஒரு சட்டமா.??
கயிறு கட்டி வர வேண்டாம் என சொல்லும் தவெக அரசு..முஸ்லிம் மாணவர்கள் குல்லா, மாணவிகள் புர்கா அணிந்து வருவது மற்றும் சிலுவை அணிந்து வரக்கூடாது என சிறுபான்மை மாணவர்களுக்கும் கட்டுப்பாடுகள் விதிக்குமா என்பதையும் தெளிவுபடுத்த வேண்டும்…… pic.twitter.com/herOMYlWkG
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) June 13, 2026
BJP Tamil Nadu, in a post, asked whether the Minister’s proposed restriction would apply to all students or only to Hindu students. The party alleged that it was an attempt to erode Hindu culture and traditions.
மதம் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அடையாளங்களோடு கல்வி வளாகத்துக்குள்ள வரக்கூடாது என்று சொல்லும் அமைச்சர் ராஜ்மோகன் அவர்களே இது அனைத்து மதங்களுக்கும் பொருந்துமா? அல்லது இந்து அடையாளங்களை மட்டும் அழிக்கும் நோக்கமா? pic.twitter.com/781WNAvOiu
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) June 12, 2026
Hindu Munnani functionary Kutralanathan questioned whether the Minister would also ban students from wearing hijabs and burqas.
ஹிஜாப் அணிந்து வரக்கூடாது சொல்ல முடியுமா?? | #Rajmohan #TNSchools #TVKGovt #Hindu @imrajmohan @CMOTamilnadu @tnschoolsedu pic.twitter.com/PufA5KCQlV
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) June 13, 2026
Netizen Saran Shanmugam, in a post on X, said: “Literal translation of the news – No one should enter educational campuses displaying religious or caste identities – Minister Rajmohan. I agree completely. Education should be kept totally separate from religion, since people can easily practice their faith at home. That brings up a massive question, though: why do we still need religious minority educational institutions, and what value do religious studies actually bring into the classrooms of those institutions?”
Literal translation of the news – No one should enter educational campuses displaying religious or caste identities – Minister Rajmohan.
I agree completely. Education should be kept totally separate from religion and caste, since people can easily practice their faith at home.… https://t.co/ZrKim4StWI
— Saran Shanmugam (@saranstm) June 13, 2026
One netizen, Sumitha IN, posted: “Implement this in the Secretariat too. No kulla, hijab, cross, rosary, aragaja. The CM has a thread tied on his hand and wears rosary beads. How is that allowed? Ozhunga education kodukka thupilla vandhutanunga Thiruttu Dravidia 2.0 koottam.”
Implement this in secretariat too.
No kulla, hijab, cross, rosary, aragaja. CM has thread tied in hand, wears rosary besds how is that allowed? Ozhunga education kodukka thupilla vandhutanunga
Thiruttu dravidia 2.0 koottam. pic.twitter.com/XfGaNKpmYU— Sumitha 🇮🇳 (@jusmypov) June 12, 2026
Indu Makkal Katchi said: “Caste we can understand, but a ban on the right to practise religion is a direct attack on Article 21.”
Caste we can understand, but a ban on right to practice religion is direct attack on Article 21. https://t.co/3gKbCv3Utf
— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) June 13, 2026
Another netizen pointed out that Chief Minister Vijay wears a red-coloured wristband. The user questioned why schoolchildren should be barred from wearing threads that signify their identity while the Chief Minister himself wears one, asking whether such rules apply only to the general public.
TVK Minister Rajmohan says school children will not be allowed to wear any threads which show their identity but why don't CM lead by example?
He himself is wearing thread, so rules are for the general public ?? pic.twitter.com/UKT4dQTl81
— Anu Satheesh 🇮🇳🚩 (@AnuSatheesh5) June 13, 2026
Another netizen asked: “Does the rule include burqas? If included, it is a welcome move. Otherwise, it is selective suppression of Hindu rights.”
Does the rule include burqa? If included welcome move or else it is selective suppression of Hindu rights. https://t.co/N5adSDBLV9
— रंगा – ரங்கா அய்யங்கார் (@ranganaathan) June 14, 2026
Indu Makkal Katchi challenged the Minister to ban burqas and skull caps as well.
Let's see if TVK will ban burqas and skull caps… https://t.co/3gKbCv3Utf
— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) June 14, 2026
Critics further argued that during the Ayyappa season and on other occasions, Hindu devotees undertake penance by wearing malas and dhotis. They questioned whether the government would prevent such students from attending classes. They also pointed to instances in some Christian-run schools where vermilion, bangles and flowers worn by girls were reportedly removed, and where students were taken to churches for special prayers before examinations. Critics asked whether such practices would also come under scrutiny in the name of secularism.
Another netizen, Rajeswari Aiyer, posted: “Urdu School – at the cost of ₹3.24 crore!! Muslims can study Urdu, which is an additional language apart from English and Tamil. Three languages are allowed for them. Urdu is similar to Hindi. When Muslims can study Urdu, why deny Hindi or another language as a third language to others? Is this your stance on the two-language policy? DMK continued.”
Urdu School – at the cost of 3.24 crore !!
Muslins can study urdu – which is an additional language apart from English & Tamil – Three language allowed for them !!!
Urdu is similar to Hindi
When Mujilims can study Urdu
Why denying Hindi or another language as 3rd language to… pic.twitter.com/PjHBkc7sfA— RajeIyer (@RajeswariAiyer) June 14, 2026
Critics also argued that Dravidian parties have historically shown strong opposition towards Sanskrit while being more accommodating towards Urdu and Arabic, questioning the consistency of their language policies.
Rise in Evangelical Meetings and Conferences
After the TVK government led by CM C. Joseph Vijay came to power, critics claim there has been a noticeable increase in evangelical meetings and conferences being conducted openly across the state.
They point to incidents such as the Speaker quoting Bible verses in the Assembly and stating that he had been distributing Bibles to the public. A Muslim MLA also quoted verses from the Quran during Assembly proceedings.
In Tirunelveli, there has reportedly been a surge in evangelical conferences, with posters appearing across the district. Referring to this, one social media post asked: “Has Paralogar Rajyam come to the state?”
The post further stated that in Nellai alone, three Christian gatherings are being organised within a span of ten days. A three-day Pentecostal congregation was recently held in Palayamkottai.
On June 20 and 21, Jesus Redeems, an international ministry founded by Bro. Mohan C. Lazarus, is scheduled to organise a meeting at Town Charter School. Another gathering is reportedly planned on June 25, 26, 27 and 28.
According to Rule 4(a), “No school premises shall be used, whether during or outside school hours, for organising, conducting or facilitating any programme, meeting, campaign, instruction or any activity by any external person, association or organisation which is in the nature of (i) political or ideological, (ii) communal or divisive, or (iii) otherwise unrelated to the educational objectives of the school.”
"பரலோக ராஜ்ஜியம் நடக்கிறதா?"🚨😤
நெல்லையில் 10 நாட்களில் 3 கிறிஸ்தவ மிகப்பெரிய கூட்டங்கள்,
கடந்த 3 நாட்களாக பெந்தகோஸ்து கூட்டம் பாளையங்கோட்டையில் நடைபெற்றது.
வருகிற 20 & 21 மோகன் சி லாசரஸ் கூட்டம் டவுண் சாப்டர் பள்ளியில் நடைபெறுகிறது.
25, 26, 27, 28 ஆகிய நான்கு தேதிகளில்
👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/iMfvqMFdML— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) June 15, 2026
Critics argue that the TVK government is no different from other non-BJP ruled states. According to them, such governments seek to keep Hindus on the defensive by repeatedly raising controversies involving Hindu gods, traditions, temple worship and religious practices. They allege that communal and religious issues are amplified by political functionaries and allies to keep tensions alive, while diverting attention from governance issues.
They further contend that emotional, sentimental and spiritual beliefs of Hindus are frequently targeted for political survival and to deflect criticism over administrative shortcomings.
In a related development, a birthday celebration was reportedly organised inside the Ramanathaswamy Temple premises for HR&CE official Sethu Priya in the presence of the Joint Commissioner. Critics alleged that the cake used for the celebration contained egg, which is not permitted inside temple premises.
Rameshwaram Temple | கோயிலுக்குள் முட்டை கலந்த கேக்?
ராமேஸ்வரம் ராமநாதசுவாமி கோயிலுக்குள் அறநிலையத்துறை நிர்வாகி சேதுப்பிரியாவுக்கு கோயில் இணை ஆணையர் முன்னிலையில் பிறந்தநாளுக்கு கேக் வெட்டப்பட்ட விவகாரம்
பிறந்தநாள் கொண்டாட்டத்தில் முட்டை கலந்த கேக் வெட்டப்பட்டதாக புகார்… pic.twitter.com/J1FsgElU7o
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 15, 2026
Sethu Priya was also accused by critics of having ordered Chicken Sukka and other non-vegetarian food items. They further alleged that on previous occasions some staff members had brought and consumed non-vegetarian food within the temple premises.
Critics argue that such incidents reflect a larger pattern aimed at diminishing the importance of Hindu traditions, temple customs and modes of worship.
