Tamil Nadu to reach out to other states for exemption from NEET

In the all-party meeting called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, 12 parties supported the scrapping of NEET, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan staged a walkout registering her opposition.

After writing to 12 Chief Ministers to join forces for removing NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), now Tamil Nadu is once again ready to approach other states to build a consensus for opposing the all India medical entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses at the national level.

In the meeting, the all-party delegation has decided to intensify the legal fight against NEET and to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah if they get a call for the meeting. 

While 12 parties supported eliminating NEET, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan staged a walkout and said that NEET does not affect social justice.

Chief Minister MK Stalin said in the meeting “The meeting has been convened to show that the political parties in the State stand united on this issue and there is no difference of opinion. NEET stands as an impediment to the educational growth of Tamil Nadu students," as reported by The New Indian Express.

“How can we accept that a two-hour NEET exam is superior to whatever they have learned up to Class 12? Is it not social injustice? How many of our students can afford to pay for coaching for taking up the NEET exam?", he added.

Stalin has also alleged that despite his personal request, the Governor has not forwarded the TN NEET Bill to the President.

Health Minister M Subramanian said after the meeting that if required the all-party delegation could meet the Governor and urge him to forward the TN Bill against NEET to the President of India. He also added that Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan has told him that in Odisha also there is an anti-NEET sentiment among people.

"So, the opposition to NEET is not just in Tamil Nadu, it is there across the country,” he added.

K Selvaperunthagai of Congress and VCK MLA M Sinthanaiselvan said the President should recall Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi since he has failed to uphold the Constitution by refusing to forward the Bill to President.

Read more:

• Stalin writes to 12 CMs to abolish NEET
• Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin calls for all-party meet on Jan 8 for exemption from NEET