Anti-NEET fast: Four continue indefinite fast in Tamil Nadu, demand abolition

Chennai: Four members of the Anti-NEET Federation-Tamil Nadu continued their indefinite fast on Tuesday, demanding the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. The fast, which began on August 1 at Thiruvalluvar Illam in Koyambedu, entered its fourth day.

The federation, formed by students, youth and social organisations, said in a statement that Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET since its introduction. It argued that the exam penalises students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, besides those who study in state-board schools. The formation came after protests erupted over a reported paper leak in the medical entrance test.

The four fasting members — Ravi, Mohan, Jeeva and Dhanasekar — are urging the Union government to withdraw NEET and allow medical admissions on the basis of marks secured in the Class XII board examination. They are also demanding that education be moved from the Concurrent List to the State List, a step that would enable states to devise their own admission policies.

The federation has also called upon the Tamil Nadu government to accelerate efforts against NEET. S.A. Manirathinam, the coordinator, said the state government should convene an all-party meeting and expedite legal proceedings in the Legislative Assembly and the courts. He said the government must take the lead in building a consensus across party lines to pressurise the Centre.

Manirathinam is the brother of Anitha, a medical aspirant who died by suicide in 2017 after failing to secure an MBBS seat because of the NEET mandate. She had approached the Supreme Court challenging the examination. Her death had triggered widespread protests in Tamil Nadu and renewed calls for scrapping NEET.

Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET is not new. In 2017, the state assembly passed a bill seeking to exempt the state from NEET, but it was not assented to by the then Governor. In 2021, the state government moved a resolution in the assembly urging the Union government to allow Tamil Nadu to conduct its own entrance examination. Several political parties in the state, including the ruling DMK and opposition parties, have voiced support for abolishing NEET.

The Supreme Court, however, has upheld the validity of NEET, describing it as a step towards ensuring transparency and merit in medical admissions. Despite this, Tamil Nadu has continued its political and legal opposition.

The indefinite fast is part of the federation's broader campaign to highlight what it calls the "discriminatory nature" of NEET. The federation has also planned rallies and awareness programmes in the coming weeks. The health condition of the four fasting members was reported to be stable, with medical teams monitoring them.

As the fast enters its fourth day, the federation has urged the state government to take immediate action. It has also appealed to citizens to support the cause.

If you or someone you know is facing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Contact the state health helpline at 104, Tele-MANAS at 14416, or Sneha's suicide prevention helpline at 044-24640050.