Using the prospect of the campaign trail, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has been addressing the people about the schemes launched by his government and unfolding major announcements ahead of the assembly polls. In what has become his first legislative election as the Chief Minister, Edappadi Palaniswami is hoping to retain the reign amid being surfaced with intra-party challenges and external allegations. 

One of the important political announcements the Chief Minister has been making is that the announcement of withdrawing petty cases that were filed against the people in recent times. Edappadi Palaniswami has on Friday announced that all the cases that were filed across the state against those who protested against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act will be withdrawn. 

Along with the withdrawal of cases filed against the CAA protestors, the Chief Minister also said that the cases filed against the people for violating the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions will also be withdrawn. Edappadi Palaniswami said that around 1,500 cases were registered against anti-CAA protestors under charges of causing damage to the public property. He stated that all these cases will be withdrawn. In the notification, the state government has said that after the CAA was passed, several protests were held including ones where copies of the law were burnt. 

The notification further added that people who belong to certain groups conducted protests, rallies, burnt effigies, and the constitution in different parts of the state. During these protests, police had deployed necessary measures to ensure that law and order is maintained. In the wake of the violations, the police had filed 1,500 cases across the state against the people who gave difficulties to the public and damaging public property. The protest had happened in late 2019 following which the cases were booked against people. 

The Chief Minister added, "In these cases, I would like to inform you all that in all other cases, except cases registered for specific offenses involving violence and cases of obstruction of duty by the police, further investigation will be dropped out in the interest of the public". The decision to withdraw cases filed against anti-CAA protests has come days after the Chief Minister had addressed a gathering of the Muslim voters in Tiruppur district. The reports say that the decision of withdrawing the cases against the Muslims from the Chief Minister has come as Edappadi Palaniswami's bid to reduce the tensions in the minority community. 

The Chief Minister asked them not to fear the ADMK and BJP alliance. He added that nobody has to fear that they will be affected because of the alliance. The Chief Minister said to the people that the party needs support to continue the current rule after the assembly polls. Along with the withdrawal of cases against the CAA protests, the Chief Minister said that the cases that were filed against the violators of the COVID-19 lockdown for breaching the restrictions will also be withdrawn. 

Around 10 lakh cases were filed in connection to the lockdown violation. Of these 10 lakh cases, the cases that are pertaining to serious offenses and against those who stopped police personnel from doing their duty, will not be withdrawn. The cases will be examined and petty and less offensive cases will be withdrawn while the cases of serious offenses will stay. Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced the withdrawal of cases filed against the people during Jallikattu protesters and the government employees who protested for hikes in their pay.