TN CM concerned over students carrying weapons

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today expressed concern over a section of college students allegedly carrying weapons instead of books and advised them to focus only on education.

"The future of the country lies in the hands of students and many social issues around us should be dealt with intellectually not emotionally," he said.

"Students' complete focus should be on education, but it is regrettable that some of them carry weapons in hands that should carry books," he said during the post-centenary diamond jubilee celebrations of the University of Madras.

"Students should shun violence," he added.

Though he did not refer to any specific incident, Palaniswami's remarks come close on the heels of instances of college students on buses and trains, wielding weapons like knives and machetes, drawing concern from various sections of society.

He recalled late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's advice to students saying they had a social responsibility which cannot be easily wished away. He said she had urged them to contribute to the state, country and institution that help their growth.

The Chief Minister also pointed out to the various sops offered by his government in the educational sector and said the state was fairing better than the national average in the Gross Enrollment Ratio.