Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Assures Unwavering Efforts for NEET Exemption Amid Hunger Strike

New Delhi, August 20, 2023: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, leading the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), pledged resolute efforts to secure the exemption of Tamil Nadu from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET). As his son and cabinet minister Udhayanidhi Stalin spearheaded the party’s state-wide hunger strike, CM Stalin reiterated that the DMK would persist until the state received an exemption from the central qualifying test.

Stalin’s assurances were delivered during a wedding event, coinciding with the DMK’s widespread agitation against NEET. The hunger strike, organized by the DMK’s Youth Wing, Students Wing, and Doctors Wing, was conducted across Tamil Nadu, except in Madurai where the AIADMK held a state conference. The hunger strike was initially scheduled to continue on August 23.

The event saw participation from senior DMK leaders, including ministers Duraimurugan, Ma Subramanian, and PK Sekar Babu, as well as party MPs, MLAs, and Mayor Priya R. The protest was marked by a display of collages featuring medical aspirants who allegedly died by suicide due to NEET-related stress.

CM Stalin highlighted the party’s longstanding opposition to NEET and recalled that his party had promised to ardently pursue a NEET ban during the 2021 elections. The anti-NEET bill, adopted twice by the Assembly after the DMK assumed power, has been submitted for Presidential assent.

Stalin criticized TN Governor RN Ravi’s recent statement against the state’s anti-NEET bill, asserting that the Governor’s role is analogous to that of a “postman” who forwards matters to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. He emphasized that the President holds the power to decide on the bill based on the Centre’s advice.

Amid the struggle, CM Stalin emphasized the continuation of the movement until NEET exemption is achieved, emphasizing the DMK’s commitment to working for the people’s welfare.