Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin made a heartfelt plea to NEET aspirants on Monday, urging them not to entertain thoughts of self-harm but to approach life with self-assurance. This appeal comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a medical aspirant reportedly took his own life.
Mr Stalin claimed that in a few months, when the political change takes place, then the NEET barriers will come crashing down.
“Then, all those who say ‘I will not sign’ will disappear,” the Chief Minister said apparently referring to Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s remarks against the state’s anti-NEET bill.
“I offer my deepest condolences on the demise of student Jagatheeswaran and his father Selvasekhar (who also allegedly died by suicide). Let their deaths be the last on the altar of NEET,” Mr Stalin said in a statement.
The Chief Minister expressed deep dismay at the recent passing of Jagatheeswaran, a medical aspirant from Chromepet, who tragically could not succeed in passing the entrance exam. The Chief Minister conveyed his inability to provide solace to the grieving family.
“Jagatheeswaran’s father Selvasekhar also committed suicide the next day. I am at a loss on how to console his family and friends,” the Chief Minister said.
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M K Stalin Assures Scrapping of NEET
His parents wanted to see their son, who studied well, as a medical doctor. But Jagadeeswaran “has joined the list of victims on the altar of NEET exam, which is the most gruesome incident,” he said.
A spate of alleged NEET-related suicides have been reported in the state in the past few years.
“I appeal that no student should ever make a decision to take away their own lives under any circumstances. The NEET, which is a hurdle for your growth, will be scrapped. The state government is actively working on the legal initiative in this direction,” Mr Stalin said in the statement.
Recalling the Assembly resolutions demanding NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu, he said the Governor returned the first resolution and sent the second one to the President for assent.
“It appears that Governor Ravi wants the bill to be shelved. NEET exam has become expensive and can be afforded only by the rich,” the Chief Minister said.
MK Stalin Highlights Socioeconomic Barrier
He asserted that individuals who lack the financial means to afford expensive education are facing failure in the test. He emphasized that the current scenario allows only NEET-qualified students with financial resources to access medical colleges, thus limiting medical education to those who can afford it.
“In spite of this, the state government brought 7.5 percent reservation for the poor students of government schools in medical colleges. But, the Governor refuses to understand. There is a doubt that he is acting like a puppet of the coaching centers,” Mr M K Stalin alleged.
Charging Mr. Ravi with organizing educational sessions at the Raj Bhavan by inviting students, the Chief Minister alleged that the Governor showcased a lack of understanding when he stated his refusal to endorse the NEET exemption bill. This comment was made in response to a query raised by a father of a student from Salem during an interaction on Saturday.
“The bill does not await his signature. It rests with the President. Governor has no authority as far as this is concerned, though he is giving the impression that he wields authority. No matter how many lives are lost like that of Jagadeeswaran, the heart of Governor RN Ravi will not melt. Human life has no value in the times of such stone-hearted people,” Mr Stalin said offering his deepest condolences to bereaved family of Jagatheeswaran and his father Selvasekhar.
“Let their death be the final one on the altar of NEET. A bright future awaits you students. Be self-confident. Live and let others live. I urge you once again don’t harbour any suicidal tendencies,” the Chief Minister said.
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