TVK Education Minister Rajmohan has spoken the same language as the previous Dravidian model government by declaring that students would not be permitted to enter schools displaying any visible symbols associated with religion or caste, including even a simple thread worn on the body.
During an interaction with journalists on measures to tackle caste discrimination and social divisions in educational institutions, the minister asserted that schools must remain spaces exclusively for “science” and “social justice,” insisting that there should be “no room for anything” that promotes religious or caste identities. His remarks have reignited debates over individual religious expression, cultural practices, and the extent to which the state can regulate personal identity markers within educational institutions under the Joseph Vijay-led TVK government.
Responding to a question on the government’s recently launched “Singappen” special task force and whether there were scientifically grounded plans to address criminal behaviour at its roots, Rajmohan stressed that educational institutions would play a central role in shaping future generations.
“That is a good question. There is absolutely no room in our educational institutions for anything that goes against science. We are ready to welcome anyone who champions self-confidence, science, rationalism, and social justice.”
No Place For Religious Or Caste Symbols In Schools
When asked about caste-based tensions among students and whether the government planned to establish monitoring mechanisms or counselling systems to prevent caste clashes in educational institutions, Rajmohan said awareness had already been created among teachers through official educational channels.
He stated that the government had issued strict instructions prohibiting the display of religious or caste symbols on school premises.
“We have already raised awareness among all teachers regarding this through educational channels. We have strictly instructed that no one should enter the school premises displaying symbols associated with religion or caste. No one, let it be even a small thread.”
“Even if I tie a religious thread at our home, I take it off it when I leave the house. So, there is no room for anything. Do you know what is the place for only one thing? Social justice. There’s only room for Science.”
“There’s only one thing here, you know what the goal is? The next generation should be better educated than the previous generation. Glad it is better than other states. But we are going to be better than other countries, so anything that can promote division here, anything that can promote unity, there is no place here.”
Justice Chandru Report To Be Studied By Expert Panel & Implemented
When asked whether he had read the Justice Chandru report commissioned by the previous government on caste discrimination in schools and the role played by teachers and education officials in perpetuating caste biases, Rajmohan said he had met Justice Chandru and that the government intended to examine the report through an expert panel.
“I have met Justice Chandru. We will come up with a panel of experts on the report and see how we can implement it.”
He noted that the report was detailed and that implementation would require careful planning to ensure its recommendations reached the grassroots.
“The report is detailed. How to take it to the grassroots, we have to see. Because whatever project comes up, generally only 40-50% goes to the grassroots.”
“Social justice like this is a sensitive subject. It will take some time for the teachers to come and implement this depending on the mindset of the teachers to prevent things that can cause tension before it happens. But definitely we will come and implement it.”
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