NEET protesters arrested in Tamil Nadu after burning effigy, holding demonstrations

Police in Tamil Nadu arrested 14 members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Tiruchi on Thursday after they set fire to an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a ban on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

The protest occurred near the TVS Tollgate, where DYFI members assembled and suddenly set the effigy ablaze while raising slogans calling for the central government to repeal NEET. The demonstrators then lay down on the road, continuing their slogans, leading to their arrest by police personnel. The protest was led by DYFI district president Santhosh.

Separately, in Pudukottai, 29 members of the DYFI and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) were arrested near the old bus stand. They had been holding a waiting agitation to condemn what they described as an attack by the central government on protesters in Delhi, and also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The NEET exam, which is the sole entrance test for medical colleges in India, has been a subject of controversy, with some groups arguing it places an undue burden on students, particularly those from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. The protests in Tamil Nadu are part of a broader wave of demonstrations against the examination system.

The arrested individuals were taken to local police stations and later released on bail, according to police sources.