CPI Leader Demands NEET Abolition, Calls Exam Source of Fear
Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary M. Veerapandian has called for the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), arguing that the examination undermines social justice and generates anxiety among medical aspirants. Speaking at the party headquarters in Chennai, Veerapandian stated that education is the responsibility of a welfare state and should not be left to private institutions.
Veerapandian criticised the current system, saying, 'Education is not a privilege or a concession; it is a right. The government must take responsibility for providing education, just as China, a country with a population comparable to India’s, provides education to its citizens.' He emphasised that both school and higher education should be state-led.
The CPI headquarters, Balan Illam, has become a hub for protests against NEET. Veerapandian explained that the party permitted student demonstrations after requests from the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the Cockroach Janta Party. 'We took into account the convenience of students and neighbours. Peaceful demonstrations would not cause disruption,' he said.
Regarding the resignation of the Union Higher Education Minister amid allegations of a question paper leak, Veerapandian said that Tamil Nadu's demand is for a complete exemption from NEET. 'If other states wish to continue with NEET, we have no objection. The students’ demand for the Minister’s resignation is justified. Suppressing peaceful protests is an assault on democratic values and the Gandhian tradition,' he added.
Veerapandian reiterated that NEET is not a suitable method for medical admissions, recalling the views of neurologist B. Ramamurthi, who argued that medical education should not rely solely on rote learning or exam scores. He highlighted that government hospitals like Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Stanley Medical College Hospital treated over one lakh patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the quality of doctors who may not have entered through NEET.
Referring to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s opposition to NEET, Veerapandian urged him to remain steadfast. He also called on the government to designate specific venues for public protests, saying, 'Peaceful protests strengthen democracy; they are not directed against governments. The government should facilitate democratic expression rather than suppress it.'
