Introduction
In a strong display of opposition against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Udhayanidhi Stalin, the youth wing chief of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu, is leading a state-wide hunger strike. The protest aims to demand the abolition of NEET and criticize the central government for not scrapping the controversial medical entrance examination, which has led to the unfortunate deaths of several students. The hunger strike is also aimed at condemning the actions of Governor R N Ravi, who has expressed support for NEET despite widespread calls for its elimination.
Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed the party’s solidarity with students and emphasized the need for taking moral responsibility, as the death toll among students who faced NEET-related stress continues to rise. The DMK has termed the central government’s stance on NEET as autocratic and criticized its refusal to abolish the exam. The party has cited the deaths of students and their parents due to the pressure of NEET as evidence of the examination’s detrimental effects on mental health.
The strike further seeks to hold Governor R N Ravi accountable for his pro-NEET stance. The DMK contends that Ravi’s assertion of having powers he does not possess, along with his failure to support the cancellation of NEET in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, has contributed to the unfortunate outcomes faced by aspiring medical students.
The hunger strike is set to be led by Udhayanidhi Stalin along with representatives from the party’s youth, students, and medical wings. The protest is scheduled to be held across the state and aims to garner support to abolish NEET and protect the educational rights of Tamil Nadu students.
Step Following Tragic Suicide cases
This demonstration follows recent tragic incidents, including the suicide of a teenage medical aspirant and his father due to NEET-related stress. The deceased, S Jegadeeswaran (19), ended his life after not achieving the desired results in the NEET exams. In the aftermath, his father, Selvasekar, also took his own life. These incidents have further intensified the calls for the scrapping of NEET.
The protest comes at the same time as a mega party conference announced by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Madurai. The AIADMK has criticized the DMK-led government’s response to the NEET issue and accused them of not fulfilling their promises to address it. AIADMK interim general secretary K Palaniswami criticized Chief Minister M K Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi, for failing to make good on their assurances to cancel NEET.
In a related development, Chief Minister M K Stalin has advocated for transferring education to the state list of the Constitution from the concurrent list, in order to have greater control over educational matters including NEET.
Conclusion
As the hunger strike gains momentum, it underscores the deep-seated concerns among students, parents, and political leaders in Tamil Nadu over the impact of NEET on the state’s aspiring medical professionals. The event also highlights the intensifying political discourse around the future of NEET and its potential consequences for students’ mental well-being.
