Tamil Nadu intensifies anti-NEET push as hunger strike follows legislation

Related: Father found dead 2 days after NEET aspirant dies by suicide

Stalin hammers home DMK’s stance

The DMK would not stop till Tamil Nadu got an exemption from the Central qualifying test, said MK Stalin on Sunday, reaffirming his anit-NEET stand. The remarks came at a wedding that coincided with his party’s agitation seeking to do away with NEET, the all-India test for students to get into medical courses in institutions across the country.

Stalin also took a swipe at Governor RN Ravi for his recent remarks that he would never sign in favour of the state’s anti-NEET bill.

The chief minister said the matter was now with the President and that the Governor’s job was only that of a “postman”, who has to send to the Rashtrapati Bhavan matters taken up by the state Assembly.

The ruling party’s hunger strike was held all through Tamil Nadu except in Madurai where the AIADMK is holding a massive state conference today. It will be now held on 23 August.

The earlier bill adopted by the Assembly during the AIADMK regime was returned and the then ruling party did not reveal it, even when Assembly was on, said the chief minister.

That bill subsequently lapsed, Stalin said, adding his party promised ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections to wholeheartedly strive for a ban on NEET.

The bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu was adopted twice after the DMK came to power and was “finally sent for Presidential assent after much struggle”.

Stalin alleged that Ravi kept the bill at Raj Bhavan and sent it to the President only after the government strongly pressed for it.

“The President should decide on the bill on the basis of Centre’s advice. Only the President has the power, not the governor; he only has the job of a postman. he has to send what we sent,” he said, referring to Ravi’s recent remarks at an interaction that he would never give assent to the state’s anti-NEET bill.

Also read: Will bringing education back on State List end NEET suicides?

The hunger strike

At the protest venue at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, DMK youth wing chief Udhayanidhi was joined by senior leaders and cabinet ministers Duraimurugan, Ma Subramanian, and PK Sekar Babu, party MPs including Dayanidhi Maran, MLAs, and Chennai Mayor Priya R.

A collage of medical aspirants, who allegedly died by suicide over NEET, including S Anita of Ariyalur, was put on display on the stage and, floral tributes were paid to them. Newlywed couples joined the protest carrying anti-NEET banners.

மருத்துவக் கல்லூரிக்குப் போக வேண்டிய தமிழ்நாட்டு மாணவர்களை, மரணத்தை நோக்கி தள்ளுகின்ற நீட் தேர்வுக்கு எதிராக, ஒன்றிய அரசையும் – ஆளுநரையும் கண்டித்து @dmk_youthwing, @dmk_studentwing, @MedicalwingDMK சார்பில் நடைபெற்ற மாபெரும் உண்ணாவிரத அறப்போரில் பங்கேற்று, இன்று மாலை நிறைவுரை… pic.twitter.com/pDMzayiW3g

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) August 20, 2023

The hunger strike is being held in the wake of another alleged suicide of an aspirant last week.

On Sunday, the DMK’s Youth Wing, Students Wing and Doctors Wing were leading the strike, pointed out MK Stalin in his speech.

“This struggle will continue. The DMK won’t stop till NEET exemption is ensured. Whether or not in power, this movement is one that works for the people,” he added.

Related: ‘Did she die by suicide, or did the exam kill her?’

The anti-NEET stand

Tamil Nadu has over the years only become more resolute in its anti-NEET stand, with the suicide of each NEET aspirant only cementing it.

One of the main reasons, which many politicians also subscribe to, is the idea that NEET was skewed in favour of urban and wealthier students.

There has also been the prevailing view in Tamil Nadu since NEET was made mandatory across the country in 2017 that it was disadvantageous for students of the state board.

In fact, the Justice AK Rajan Committee, in its report submitted to MK Stalin in September 2021, even said that NEET tilted the balance in favour of students of Central Board of Secondary Education schools, those who attended coaching services, and study in privately-run English-medium schools.