The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government Monday introduced a bill in the state assembly seeking exemption from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) meant for admission to medical colleges.
“Today, I have presented the resolution against NEET. You (AIADMK) also brought this resolution. I urge opposition parties to extend their support to this resolution,” news agency ANI quoted CM Stalin, as saying.
The bill seeks to provide for admission to undergraduate courses in medicine, dentistry, Indian medicine, and homeopathy on the basis of marks obtained in Class 12 exams. It says that an exam like NEET has “shattered the hopes and dreams of Tamil Nadu students” aspiring for a medical or dental seat.
The introduction of the bill comes a day after a NEET aspirant’s death by suicide was reported from the state. The 20-year-old student, Dhanush, was set to appear for the NEET exam Sunday but died on the eve of the exam.
The matter echoed in the Tamil Nadu assembly, along with the discussion of the NEET exemption bill. The opposition led by AIADMK targeted the government holding it responsible for the student’s death. In response, Chief Minister Stalin introduced the NEET exemption bill.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said on Sunday that NEET is a major issue in the country. “Another death at the altar of NEET…Tomorrow we will bring a permanent exemption bill for NEET. Let us take NEET as an issue of the Indian subcontinent,” Stalin said in a Twitter post in Tamil.
Condoling the aspirant’s death, Stalin said “our legal struggle against NEET starts now after taking over the reins of the government.” The state government has the responsibility and duty to build a good future for students and realising this, “our struggle will continue till the Union government rescinds NEET,” he said. The Tamil Nadu chief minister said his government would drum up support of all other states on this issue by reaching out to his counterparts. “I have the confidence that we will win,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition K Palaniswami said in the run-up to the April 6 assembly election, the DMK claimed that the party was aware of the ways and means to “cancel NEET.” He said the DMK targeted the AIADMK government over this issue, “diverted the people and also won the polls.” Palaniswami, who is the AIADMK co-coordinator, said in a statement that the DMK made “tall claims” of getting Tamil Nadu exempted from NEET, mocked his party over the issue and campaigned in a way that deceived the students.
The AIADMK leader said he had time and again asked the government to clarify whether NEET would be conducted in Tamil Nadu since the DMK had made such an assurance. He said that, unlike the DMK, his party is not interested in politicising the NEET issue. “Please tell the students about the true status of NEET,” he said.
