TIRUCHY: Noise raised by TVK supporters before and during actor Vijay’s campaign caused disturbance to Class 10 students who were writing their boards as the meeting venue was located barely 100 metres from the school where the exam was held. The Social Science examination was held at government Syed Murthuza higher secondary school on Old Madurai Road from 10 am to 1.15 pm, which coincided with Vijay’s campaign. Around 175 students appeared for the exam.
As supporters gathered at the venue from around 9 am, TVK functionaries instructed them to avoid sloganeering, but the crowd turned hysterical as time for Vijay’s visit approached.
A senior education department official said “We anticipated disturbance and ensured students wrote the exam in farthest place on the school. However, noise was unavoidable.”
The disturbance was particularly severe towards the end of the examination around 1 pm, when Vijay started speaking. Officials said the examination was completed on schedule.
School authorities said they had informed education department officials in advance about the event and made arrangements. “Since we were told the campaign could extend till 3 pm, with permission given till 4 pm, we had planned to provide noon meals in case students were unable to step out,” a senior teacher said. Though the meeting ended around 1.30 pm, the students were provided food and then sent home.
“Even though our classrooms were a little away from the venue side of the campus, the sound was clearly audible. Towards the end, it became louder, and we were informally given about five minutes of extra time,” said a class 10 student on condition of anonymity.
Further, anticipating traffic congestion, a few private schools located along the campaign route including Melapudur and Palakarai declared holiday for classes 1 to 11.
When asked why permission for the meeting was granted near the school when board exam was under way, a senior police officer said Marakadai junction is among the locations in Tiruchy East constituency that could accommodate a large crowd.
“There is very limited open spaces in this constituency. Marakadai is suitable as it has three exit points, making crowd management relatively easier,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
