In a move that has triggered sharp political questions, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan has announced that the state government will issue identity cards to school students containing caste details as reported in The New Indian Express, even as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had only days earlier declared that his government had “broken the barriers of religion and caste” in the 2026 Assembly election.
Sengottaiyan Announces Caste Details on Student ID Cards
While touring the streets of the Gobichettipalayam constituency to thank voters for ensuring his electoral victory, Minister Sengottaiyan told reporters that the Chief Minister had directed officials to begin the process of issuing identity cards to students with caste-related information.
He said the initiative was intended to eliminate the need for students to repeatedly obtain caste certificates every academic year.
“We have decided to issue identity cards, and the Chief Minister has ordered the necessary work to be carried out in accordance with his directive. I am happy to inform you that details such as the student’s address, caste certificate information, blood group, Aadhaar number, and telephone number will be included in the card. Just as one carries an identity card, we are taking steps to issue these cards initially to students in the 10th and 12th standards.”
According to the Minister, the new cards will permanently carry caste certificate information alongside other personal details, allowing students to avoid the annual process of securing caste certificates from government offices.
Announcement Contrasts With Vijay’s “Beyond Religion and Caste” Pitch
The announcement assumes political significance because it comes just days after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, while replying to the Governor’s Address in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on 23 June 2026, projected his government as one that had risen above caste and religious divisions.
“In the 2026 election, we broke the barriers of religion and caste,” Vijay declared.
“சாதியை ஒழிப்போம், மதத்தை ஒழிப்போம்” என்று மேடைக்கு மேடை முழங்கிட்டு, பள்ளி மாணவர்களோட ID Card-ல் சாதி விவரங்களை கொண்டு வருவது தான் உங்கள் புதிய அரசியல் கொள்கையா திரு.@TVKVijayHQ ?#TVKFails pic.twitter.com/rGAjN8FQjd
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) June 26, 2026
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