Anti-NEET Protest: CM Stalin Takes 'Postman' Jibe At Guv, Says 'DMK Won't Stop Till TN Gets Exemption'

DMK, under M K Stalin, renews efforts for Tamil Nadu's NEET exemption with hunger strike led by Udhayanidhi Stalin across state, intensifying call for exam's abolition.

DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin pays homage to NEET aspirants who allegedly committed suicide during a day-long fast to protest against the union government over the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), in Chennai, Sunday.

Source : PTI

Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by President M K Stalin, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to securing the state's exemption from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET). This resolve was demonstrated by a widespread hunger strike led by DMK Cabinet Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday (August 20), which aimed to draw attention to the party's demand for the complete abolition of the medical entrance exam.

President Stalin, who is also the state's Chief Minister, articulated the party's steadfast stance during a public event, emphasising that the DMK's efforts would continue until the state was exempt from the centralised entrance test. His remarks coincided with the party's statewide protest calling for the abolition of NEET.

"The DMK will not stop till Tamil Nadu got exemption from the central qualifying test," Stalin was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

The DMK's hunger strike drew widespread attention, with the exception of Madurai, where a rival party was holding its state conference. State cabinet ministers attended the event, including Duraimurugan, Ma Subramanian, and PK Sekar Babu. Furthermore, top DMK figures —  Dayanidhi Maran, MLAs, and Chennai Mayor Priya R joined the demonstration, emphasising the party's steadfast stance against NEET.

At the protest site, a tribute was paid to medical students who had committed suicide, ostensibly due to the stresses of NEET. Their photographs were displayed on stage, and participants paid floral tributes in their memory. The protest was sparked by the alleged suicide of yet another aspiring medical student recently. 

READ | DMK's Hunger Strike Demanding Abolition Of NEET Underway Across Tamil Nadu

'He Has To Send What We Sent': Stalin Hits Out At Tamil Nadu Governor

According to a PTI report, Stalin addressed the gathering and reiterated the DMK's long-standing opposition to NEET and commitment to fighting it. He emphasised the party's history of opposing the test since its inception, as well as the NEET exemption bill that the party championed, which was eventually sent to the President for approval.

"This struggle will continue, DMK won't stop till NEET exemption is ensured. Whether or not in power, this movement is one that works for the people," Stalin said.

Stalin also criticised Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, who had expressed reservations about supporting the state's anti-NEET bill. Stalin compared the Governor's role to that of a "postman," implying that the Governor's function was to forward matters approved by the state Assembly to the President.

"The President should decide on the bill on the basis of Centre's advice. Only the President has the power, not the governor; he only has the job of a postman. he has to send what we sent," he was quoted as saying by PTI. 

It is to be noted that both the previouss AIADMK regime and the current DMK government had passed resolutions against NEET in the state Assembly.

Despite these efforts, the central government had yet to heed Tamil Nadu's request for exemption from NEET.