’NEET will be scrapped’: Stalin to students after father, son die by suicide

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 14, 2023: Days after a 19-year-old MBBS aspirant from Chennai ended his life after failing to secure a seat in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday assured the students that NEET will be scrapped. He also asked them not to harbour any suicidal tendencies but to face life with self-confidence.

 

"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," Stalin said in the statement.

The 19-year-old medical aspirant died by suicide in Chennai after he failed to clear the NEET exam twice. Later, his father also died by suicide on Monday.

Taking a jibe at Governor RN Ravi, the Chief Minister claimed that the NEET barrier will come crashing down in a few months when political changes take place.

"Then, all those who say ’I will not sign’ will disappear,” the Chief Minister said, apparently referring to Governor RN Ravi’s remarks against the state’s anti-NEET bill.

On Monday, Selvam, the 19-year-old Jagatheeswaran’s father, was also found dead.

CM Stalin condoled the suicidal deaths of father and son. "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," Stalin said as quoted by news agency PTI.

The CM recalled 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. The NEET exam has become expensive and can be afforded only by the rich," the Chief Minister said.

Those who cannot afford to study by spending huge sums of money failed the test, he claimed. He said a situation has arisen wherein those who qualify for NEET alone can join a medical college if they have money and that medical education is only for those who have money.

"In spite of this, the state government introduced a 7.5 per cent 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," Stalin alleged.

Earlier on Friday, a 19-year-old medical aspirant, Jagadeeswaran, died by suicide in Chennai after he failed to clear the NEET exam twice. He was found hanging in his room. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The victim failed to secure the necessary marks at the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in two attempts and was known to have suffered bouts of depression.

While the police found no suicide note at the spot, his father Selvasekar blamed the NEET administration for his son’s death. Selvasekar was also found dead on Monday after he hanged himself.

On Monday, Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son and Cabinet Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the hospital where the body of the deceased medical aspirant was being kept.

Courtesy: India Today