Chennai, Oct 18 (NationPress) The Communist Party of India (CPI) has called upon the Tamil Nadu government to retract the recently enacted Bill that amends the Tamil Nadu Private Universities Act of 2019. They caution that these proposed modifications could undermine social justice and diminish state oversight in the higher education landscape.

In a statement released on Saturday, CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian expressed that the amendment—removing the stipulation for private universities to own a minimum of 100 acres—may trigger an uncontrolled proliferation of private universities throughout the State.

He warned that this change might lead to institutions of higher education operating without sufficient infrastructure, transparency, or accountability.

“This amendment will cause private universities to proliferate like parasites, jeopardizing the core principles of public education,” Veerapandian cautioned, describing the initiative as a regression in achieving equitable educational access.

He further stated that the removal of essential regulatory protections could pave the way for corporate and commercial interests to dominate the educational sector.

The CPI leader also condemned provisions that, in his view, would allow the government to withdraw from vital oversight responsibilities such as student admissions, fee management, and the appointments of vice-chancellors and pro vice-chancellors.

He argued that the reformation of governing councils would further diminish state authority in upholding academic integrity and ensuring representation for disadvantaged groups. Veerapandian insisted that the Bill undermines the Dravidian model of social justice, which has historically shaped Tamil Nadu’s educational policies.

“By diminishing the government's role and accountability in higher education, this amendment weakens the framework of reservation and equality that has empowered countless first-generation learners,” he added.

He urged the State government to reassess its position and engage in discussions with educators, senior academics, and student groups before enacting any policy that alters the fundamental nature of the State’s higher education system.

“The government must retract the Private Universities (Amendment) Bill immediately to safeguard the values of inclusivity, fairness, and access that characterize Tamil Nadu’s educational framework,” the statement concluded.