India, Aug. 19 -- The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday withdrew a controversial circular directing that students be prevented from participating in protests of Leftist groups and parties, including the Cockroach Janta Party, after it sparked a row.

In the circular, the commissioner of collegiate education directed college principals on Saturday to initiate interdepartmental coordination and integrated action with the school education and higher education departments, police, and district administrations to prevent students from participating in protests. It asked for immediate details of the action taken. On Wednesday, the directorate said the circular has been withdrawn.

The Students' Federation of India (SFI), the Communist Party of...