In a heart-wrenching incident that has once again ignited the debate surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a 19-year-old medical aspirant who could not clear the exam died by suicide. His father too died by suicide and the two suicides prompted Chief Minister MK Stalin to announce that "NEET will crumble". He has consistently opposed the medical entrance test.
The young student, who had shown promise by securing 427 marks in his Class XII exams last year, succumbed to the pressure after two unsuccessful attempts at the NEET. His lifeless body was discovered on August 12 in his room in Chennai.
The absence of a suicide note left many questions unanswered, but the anguish of Jagadeeswaran's father, Selvasekar, was evident. Tragically, unable to bear the weight of his son's untimely demise, Selvasekar also ended his own life just two days later. Prior to his tragic end, Selvasekar directed blame at the NEET administration, voicing his frustrations and vowing to protest for the removal of the contentious exam from the state of Tamil Nadu.
The NEET, a nationwide examination for medical admissions, has faced criticism for allegedly favoring students from affluent backgrounds who can afford expensive coaching. Advocates of reform, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, have argued that the exam places undue stress on aspiring medical students and disadvantages those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2021, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a bill seeking exemption from NEET, asserting that the system unfairly benefits the privileged and undermines students' achievements in their Class XII exams.
The political struggle to abolish NEET in Tamil Nadu has been a contentious one. Governor RN Ravi's reluctance to give assent to the anti-NEET bill has drawn sharp criticism from Chief Minister MK Stalin, who accused the Governor of bowing to pressure. In response, Stalin affirmed his commitment to bringing about political change aimed at dismantling the NEET system. "The NEET wall will crumble in a few months when the political change we aspire to bring about happens," declared the Chief Minister, as reported by NDTV.
Stalin further emphasized the inequities perpetuated by the NEET system, noting that it caters primarily to those with financial means, while leaving deserving students from humble backgrounds struggling to gain admission. The 7.5% reservation implemented by the state government offers a limited avenue for economically disadvantaged students to pursue medical education.
Governor RN Ravi's actions have been met with harsh criticism, with the Chief Minister labeling him as having a "cold heart" that fails to value human lives. Despite the tragic loss of Jagadeeswaran and his father Selvasekar, MK Stalin remains determined to achieve reform and put an end to the reign of NEET. "Let these be the last deaths due to NEET," he asserted, underscoring the urgency of reforming the system to prevent further tragedies.
