Jayalalithaa graft case: Tamil Nadu private schools withdraw decision to remain closed tomorrow

Private schools in Tamil Nadu on Monday withdrew their decision to remain closed tomorrow in protest against the sentencing of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in a graft case in the wake of strong opposition from different quarters, including politicians and educationists.

Revoking their earlier decision, the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu said the schools would reopen after Puja holidays tomorrow. It maintained that the decision was withdrawn due to the fact that many schools had scheduled exams tomorrow.

However, its move to hold a protest in the Directorate of School Education campus by correspondents covering private schools tomorrow stood, DC Elangovan, Federation Secretary said in a statement. He had announced yesterday that over 4,500 private schools would remain closed in support of Jayalalithaa, who is in prison in Bangalore after a Special Court there sentenced her to four years imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case on September 27.

DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, CPI (M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan and PMK leader S Ramadoss were among those who opposed the Federation's move to close the private schools.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Coimbatore Private Self- Financing Colleges has announced a holiday for their 170 colleges, to express solidarity with the demand for release of Jayalalithaa, police said. Jayalalithaa's bail plea is coming up before the Karnataka High Court tomorrow.