A protest is underway in Tamil Nadu's Salem today, Tuesday, March 28, demanding the ban of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Examination (NEET) after an aspirant committed suicide in his hostel room. The victim identified as 19-year-old Chandru, was attempting to appear for the highly-competitive exam for a third time and was under pressure, wondering whether he would be able to crack it this time.
Chandru was preparing for the examination scheduled to take place on May 7, at a coaching centre in Atoor, Salem. As per the police, the student was found hanging in his hostel room on Monday by his roommate, Balaji, who had returned to the centre from his hometown. Further, as per Salem police, Chandru had been complaining that NEET was tough and that it was difficult for him to crack it.
Protests that followed
Following this incident, on Tuesday, March 28, a protest was called by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and its leader Thol Thirumavalavan said his party will also demonstrate across the state demanding the cancellation of NEET in Tamil Nadu, as stated in a report by IANS.
Do note that the Tamil Nadu government has already passed a bill exempting students from the state appearing for the exam. Additionally, the state Assembly had passed the bill twice after the Governor refused to give his consent for the legislation when it was passed for the first time. When the bill was passed for a second time by the Assembly, the Governor forwarded it to the President for consent.
Meanwhile, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) also demanded the cancellation of NEET and party leader Seeman called upon the state government to take further action regarding the issue. In the run-up to the 2021 Assembly polls, the state's ruling party DMK had promised the people that once it comes to power, NEET would be banned in the state.
M Ayyappan, a Chennai-based psychologist, told IANS, "The (state) government must take initiative to conduct counselling sessions for students and make them understand that NEET is not the end of the road and that they have other options in life." Sharing his views on reasons for suicide, he said that pressure from family and peers, as well as stress from coaching centres, are driving students to take drastic steps.
