Periyar University withdraws controversy-inducing circular that banned black outfits to convocation

Also read: Kerala HC quashes plea to declare arrest for black flags illegal

Objections from political outfits

Circular issued by Periyar University on June 26 restricting black dress

The announcement triggered protests by political parties and Dravidian outfits.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu said that it was condemnable that the varsity, which was in the name of Thanthai Periyar, had issued such a circular, and that the Tamil Nadu police were facilitating the Sanathana Dharma by way of imposing dress code on students in order to please the Governor.

Meanwhile, Dravidian outfits including the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam announced a black-flag protest against the Governor for allegedly acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu.

CPI(M) leader and Madurai MP Su Venkatesan also raised his voice against the circular issued by the varsity.

In a tweet, he said that he requested the Salem district police to advise that the Governor not promulgate the ideology that was chased away by Thanthai Periyar’s walking pole.

ஆளுநர் வருகைதரும் பெரியார் பல்கலைக்கழக பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவிற்கு மாணவர்கள் கருப்பு நிறஆடை அணிந்து வரக்கூடாதென்று சேலம் மாவட்ட காவல்துறை அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது.

பெரியாரின் கைத்தடி அடித்து விரட்டிய சனாதனத்தை ஆளுநர் அணிந்துவரக் கூடாதென்றும் காவல்துறை அறிவுறுத்த வேண்டுகிறேன்.@DistSalem pic.twitter.com/QYw9Q39i1x

— Su Venkatesan MP (@SuVe4Madurai) June 27, 2023

Also read: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan avoids all things black

Police denies issuing advisory 

Statement of Salem SP

Meanwhile, the Salem district police denied giving such advisory to the University.

In a statement, Salem Superintendent of Police (SP) R Sivakumar said that the University falls under the limits of Salem city police, and no such instruction on dress code had been given to the registrar of Periyar University.

The Salem city police also denied giving such instructions to the university. The

City Police Commissioner Vijayakumari said: “We held discussions only on the security aspects of the visiting Governor and no instructions were given on the dress code.”

Sources from the High Education Department told South First that Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi, who would also be participating in the convocation function, was not aware of the circular issued by the registrar of the varsity.

He instructed the vice-chancellor to withdraw the circular.

Circular withdrawn

Circular Issued on Tuesday Evening withdrawing the Dress Code

When South First contacted Registrar Thangavelu, he said that the circular was being withdrawn.

On Tuesday evening, Periyar University issued a circular stating: “Considering the welfare of the students and the parents, the earlier circular (which restricted dress code) is withdrawn.”

On 24 April, during the convocation function at Tamil University in Thanjavur, the police barred Student Federation leader G Aravinthasamy from receiving his certificate from Ravi.

Aravinthasamy, who completed his PhD, was about to get the certificate but plainclothes police personnel took him out of the convocation hall and stripped him to see whether he had worn any black dress inside his convocation gown.

He alleged that his mobile phone and graduation gown were taken away before the Governor’s arrival. He was lodged in a room till the ceremony was over, he said.

Later, the police explained that there was a tip-off that the student leader was going to show a black flag to the Governor while receiving his certificate.