When CM Stalin tabled the Bill in the Assembly, the AIADMK staged a walkout condemning the death of a 19-year-old NEET aspirant.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday introduced a bill in the assembly that seeks permanent exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on grounds that it is adversely discriminatory to rural aspirants.
The development came after a 19-year-old youth belonging to a village in Salem, who was set to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, died of suicide. The student died just hours before the examination. He had failed to clear the test twice before.
As the teenager’s death triggered a blame game in the state, Chief Minister Stalin urged students not to be disheartened.
One of the key promises of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in April was scrapping of NEET.
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As a result, when CM Stalin tabled the Bill in the Assembly, the AIADMK staged a walkout condemning the death of a 19-year-old NEET aspirant.
“DMK promised to abolish NEET before elections, why hasn’t it happened. DMK Govt’s ambivalent position has impacted students. DMK Government is responsible for the Death of aspirant Dhanush from Salem," Edappadi Palaniswami said after staging a walkout, according to a report on News18.
The medical entrance test NEET has been a poignant issue in Tamil Nadu as there have been numerous suicides — at least 15 according to the count of Chepauk MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin — in Tamil Nadu over the fear of passing the exam. The issue was highlighted after an aspirant, Anitha, killed herself following the failure of her legal efforts to get an exemption from the test and get medical admissions through the state-conducted Board exams.
Dhanush’s death yet again led to a blame game with the AIADMK holding the DMK regime responsible and Stalin targeted the Centre for being "obstinate" on the matter.
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