The AIADMK would pay homage in all district headquarters to students, who had ended their lives over NEET at 6 p.m. on April 19, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Thursday.
The announcement came a day after the AIADMK boycotted a meeting of legislative parties chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that resolved to intensify legal efforts to get TN an exemption from the ambit of NEET.
“The people of Tamil Nadu have not forgotten the assurance by Mr. Stalin and [Deputy CM] Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin that they would abolish NEET with just one signature. Since the DMK assumed office in 2021, 22 students in Tamil Nadu have ended due to their anxiety over the NEET,” Mr. Palaniswami said in a statement.
As the case moved by the AIADMK government before the Supreme Court against NEET was withdrawn by the DMK government and since the eventual case moved was still pending before the apex court, Mr. Palaniswami said: “It is interesting that a resolution has been adopted on April 9 to move a fresh case in the Supreme Court.”
“How many more dramas are Mr. Stalin and Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin are planning to deceive students and parents from Tamil Nadu over the NEET,” he asked. On staying away from the meeting in the Secretariat on April 9, the former Chief Minister explained: “We boycotted the meeting after explaining that the inefficient Mr. Stalin and Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin would not be able to abolish NEET.”
Recalling how former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was able to get an exemption temporarily for TN from NEET between 2011 and 2016, Mr. Palaniswami also pointed to the legal steps undertaken by his government. But Mr. Stalin and Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin gave “false assurance” that they would be able to abolish NEET with just a signature but not able to do so even after assuming office, the former CM said.
(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.)
Published – April 10, 2025 10:28 pm IST
