Stalin vows to scrap NEET, urges aspirants not succumb to pressure

Chennai: In the wake of a tragic incident involving the alleged suicide of a medical aspirant, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has made a passionate appeal to National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) aspirants to stand strong and not succumb to despair.

He assured the students that the barriers posed by NEET will be dismantled in the near future, urging them to face life with self-confidence.

The recent incident involved the demise of Jagatheeswaran, a student from Chromepet, who had been striving to clear the NEET entrance test. His father, Selvasekhar, also took his own life the following day, further amplifying the sorrowful loss.

In a heartfelt statement, Chief Minister Stalin expressed his condolences for the family's ordeal and pledged that these tragic deaths would mark the final sacrifices made at the altar of NEET. He vehemently condemned the exam's toll on young lives and assured the public that the state government is actively pursuing legal avenues to scrap the NEET requirement.

"Jagatheeswaran's story is a painful reminder of the hurdles imposed by NEET, which has claimed far too many lives," Chief Minister Stalin remarked. He criticized the exam's increasing cost, which he said only favors those who can afford expensive coaching.

He highlighted the irony that medical education, a field meant to serve society's health needs, is becoming increasingly exclusive and unattainable for the less privileged.

The Chief Minister accused the Governor of obstructing the state's efforts to provide relief for struggling students by rejecting resolutions demanding NEET exemption. He alleged that the Governor's stance appeared to favor coaching centers and questioned his intentions.

Stalin clarified that the bill's fate rests with the President, not the Governor, emphasizing that no matter how many lives are lost, the Governor's heart appears impervious to their suffering. He urged students to embrace self-confidence, reject suicidal tendencies, and envision a brighter future.

Recalling the Assembly resolutions demanding NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu, he said the Governor returned the first resolution and sent the second one to the President for assent.

"It appears that Governor Ravi wants the bill to be shelved. NEET exam has become expensive and can be afforded only by the rich," the Chief Minister said.

Those who cannot afford to study by spending huge sums of money failed the test, he claimed and said a situation has arisen wherein those who qualify for NEET alone can join a medical college if they have money and that medical education is only for those who have money.

"In spite of this, the state government brought 7.5 percent reservation for the poor students of government schools in medical colleges. But, the Governor refuses to understand. There is a doubt that he is acting like a puppet of the coaching centers," Stalin alleged.

Accusing Ravi of "conducting classes" at the Raj Bhavan by inviting students, the Chief Minister claimed the Governor "displayed his ignorance" when he had remarked that he would not sign the NEET exemption bill, an issue raised by a student's father from Salem during an interaction on Saturday.

"The bill does not await his signature. It rests with the President. Governor has no authority as far as this is concerned, though he is giving the impression that he wields authority. No matter how many lives are lost like that of Jagadeeswaran, the heart of Governor RN Ravi will not melt. Human life has no value in the times of such stone-hearted people," Mr Stalin said offering his deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Jagatheeswaran and his father Selvasekhar.

"Let their death be the final one on the altar of NEET. A bright future awaits you students. Be self-confident. Live and let others live. I urge you once again don't harbor any suicidal tendencies," the Chief Minister said.

With PTI inputs