Students must not be compelled to attend caste, religious events: Madras HC

madurai: the madurai bench of the madras high court has ruled that students must not be compelled to participate in caste-based or religious events not sanctioned by the directorate of collegiate education.a division bench comprising justices s.m. subramaniam and a.t. maria clete issued the directive while hearing a public interest litigation (pil) filed by madurai-based petitioner bhoominathan. the petition raised objections to a function organised at thiruppalai yadava college, a government-aided institution, on july 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter azhagamuthukon.the petitioner alleged that students were coerced into wearing t-shirts bearing the image and name of azhagamuthukon and that posters and banners eulogising the figure had been erected across the campus. he claimed such activities caused discomfort among students and potentially disturbed campus harmony. appeals were reportedly made to the director of collegiate education, the joint director, and local police authorities to ensure the event remained non-disruptive.representing the petitioner, advocate jessi jeevapriya argued for student autonomy and institutional neutrality. the college, represented by counsel e.v.n. siva, maintained that july 11 had been declared a holiday and denied any coercion.issuing its order, the bench observed that students should not be directly or indirectly compelled to attend events rooted in caste or religion unless officially approved. the court further said that such participation should remain a matter of individual choice.the judges added that any confirmed instance of coercion could warrant the withdrawal of government aid to the concerned institution. they also directed that caste-based banners and posters should not be displayed within college premises, and asked the police and higher education department to act against any violations.