Published Aug 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Dindigul MP Sachithanandam (pictured) asked whether the Tahsildar has been given sweeping powers.
Synopsis: A circular issued by the Gujiliamparai Tahsildar seeking the names and addresses of CPI and CPI(M) members across revenue villages in Dindigul has triggered controversy. Dindigul MP R. Sachithanandam has questioned the Tehsildar’s authority in issuing such a circular, while a senior Madras High Court advocate called it illegal.
A circular issued by Gujiliamparai Tahsildar Ayyasamy in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district seeking the names and addresses of Communist Party members residing in revenue villages under the Gujiliamparai taluk has triggered controversy.
Several people, including Dindigul MP R Sachithanandam, criticised the Tahsildar’s move, calling it illegal.
“The names and addresses of persons belonging to the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) residing in all revenue villages under Gujiliamparai taluk in Dindigul district are to be collected. The Revenue Inspectors are instructed to submit the details directly to the Tahsildar by this evening, 18.08.2026. All Village Assistants are hereby instructed to assist the Revenue Inspectors. Appropriate action will be taken against Village Assistants who fail to submit the report,” the circular issued on Tuesday, 18 August, said.
Questions are now being raised about the authority under which the Tahsildar issued a circular directing officials to collect details of members of two national political parties.
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CPI(M) members from the Vedasandur union said the issue started when free house pattas (title deeds) were issued to Dalit Arunthathiyar people in Chinnaravuthanpatti village in 1994.
Gujiliamparai Tahsildar’s circular.
“We accompanied the villagers to meet Gujiliamparai Tahsildar Ayyasamy at around 11 am on Tuesday, 11 August, and submitted a petition requesting that the land covered under Survey No. 1229/8 be measured and properly demarcated,” one of the members said, requesting anonymity.
“When the Tahsildar came out of his room, he told us that only individuals were allowed to enter the office to submit petitions and that political parties were not allowed inside his office. He also allegedly said, ‘I am also a person belonging to a political party; I will not receive petitions from political parties. Get out,’ while disrespectfully speaking to us,” he added.
It was also alleged that the Tahsildar put up a notice stating that visitors were allowed only between 12 noon and 1 pm and that mobile phones were not allowed in the office.
Local CPI(M) functionaries have submitted a written complaint regarding these issues to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu and have also organised follow-up protests against the officer’s actions.
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Dindigul MP Sachithanandam condemned the Tahsildar’s action.
“Even during the period when the Fingerprint Act was in force, and even when political movements were banned, Tahsildars had never issued such circulars,” he said.
He also questioned whether the Gujiliamparai Tahsildar had been given such sweeping powers to openly issue a circular seeking details of members of a national political party.
He further asked whether the Tahsildar had similarly issued circulars to compile lists of sand smugglers, encroachers or criminals.
Sachithanandam also alleged that the Tahsildar was intimidating ordinary members of the public by restricting their access to him to just one hour a day, between 12 noon and 1 pm, on four days a week, and by prohibiting people who come to submit petitions from carrying mobile phones.
He demanded departmental action against the Tahsildar.
A senior advocate of the Madras High Court termed the Tahsildar’s action illegal.
“This is illegal. If the police are dealing with a wanted accused or a person who poses a threat to public peace, a Tahsildar may, if required and based on a request from the police, issue an order to collect details. Even then, it has to be done in accordance with the rules and after following various procedures. But a Tahsildar has no authority to issue a circular and collect the details of members of a political party in this manner. The party can challenge the circular and seek to have it quashed,” Advocate R Thirumoorthy said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
