NEET Abolition Hunger Strike: 10th Day of Protest, Demand for Tamil Nadu Bill Intensifies

Protesters demanding the scrapping of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) marked the tenth consecutive day of their hunger strike on Monday, with demonstrators gathered at Thiruvalluvar Illam in Koyambedu urging the Tamil Nadu government to pass a Bill that would exempt the state from the examination.

S.A. Manirathnam, brother of S. Anitha, an MBBS aspirant who died by suicide, said, "The State government must stand by us and protest against the Centre and its ideological enemy, the BJP. The government must do whatever it can to instil confidence and ensure that the NEET examination is scrapped."

The demonstration is part of a sustained movement that began in 2017. Four individuals are currently on hunger strike. Puliyanthope Mohan, an advocate among the strikers, said, "Our protest began in 2017. It has not stopped. Delhi's protest was only a turning point. This protest continues. We will not stop until the exam is banned, and the State government passes a Bill on the same."

Four days have passed since School Education Minister Rajmohan assured the protesters of the government's support. However, demonstrators say no concrete action has been taken. A protester added, "The cases against the NEET protesters remain. The promise of a Bill to be passed in the Assembly hasn't materialised, and the demand for a place to continue our protest is being denied continuously. These must be addressed."

The hunger strike follows a recent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, which protesters described as a turning point in their ongoing campaign. They maintain that their agitation will continue until the NEET is abolished and the state legislature passes a resolution to that effect.

NEET, a centralised medical entrance examination, has been a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu, where several political parties and student groups have opposed it on grounds that it disadvantages students from state boards and rural backgrounds. The state government has previously passed resolutions against NEET, but the current demand is for a specific Bill exempting the state, which requires central approval to take effect.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)