The Madras High Court on Monday granted the Tamil Nadu government four weeks to file its response to a batch of petitions challenging a government order that bans private schools from hosting political, religious, and ideological programmes on their campuses.
Division Bench Extends Interim Stay
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan also extended the interim stay on the implementation of a clause requiring private schools to submit an annual undertaking by April 30, affirming compliance with the order.
Petitions Filed by Schools
The petitions were filed by Saraswathi Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Vellore and Sri Kamaraj Vidyalaya Primary School in Chennai, questioning the validity of the government order issued in March this year.
Details of the Government Order
The order prohibits private schools across Tamil Nadu from conducting political, religious, or ideology-based events within their premises. It also mandates schools to provide an undertaking every year confirming that the directive would be followed.
Hearing Proceedings
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, counsel for the petitioners pointed out that the state government had not yet filed its response to the challenge. After the government sought additional time to place its detailed stand on record, the bench granted four weeks for filing the counter affidavit and ordered that the interim stay already in force would continue until then.
Stay updated with the latest Chennai news. Download the TOI App.
About the Author
Venkadesan S is a Special Correspondent who primarily covers electricity, aviation, the information commission, central investigation agencies, and metro rail.
