Three women students from Tamil Nadu have committed suicide in the last two days after failing to crack the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET). Two girls committed suicide within hours after the medical entrance exam results were declared on June 5, whereas one committed suicide on the next day.

The women were identified as M Monisha from Viluppuram district, Vaishya from Thanjavur district, and Rithu Sree from Tirupur district. Monisha who is from the fishing community was found hanging at her residence. She passed Class 12 from a reputed school in Erode district. Parents of Rithushree were devasted by the suicide and told The Hindu that she was bold, brave, and ambitious.

Demand for exemption of Tamil Nadu from NEET

Citing these suicides, the opposition parties have demanded to immediately exempt the state from NEET exams. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has blamed the central and the state – AIADMK government for turning a blind eye on difficulties faced by state board students while appearing for the medical entrance test based on the central syllabus.

SFI in a statement said, “Chief Minister K Palaniswami has to intervene immediately to seek exemption for TN from NEET. The government has to seek President’s nod for two resolution passed in the state assembly.”

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has lashed out at the state party for failing to stand on its promise of exempting the NEET exam. DYFI has further asked the state government to compensate the families of bereaved with Rs 50 lakh compensation. Both DYFI and SFI have called for protests across the state.

In a statement released by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), MK Stalin said that he will raise the NEET exam issue in the Parliament. Following the current suicides, Stalin highlighted the huge number of 75,000 students who failed to clear the NEET and asserted that the exam is indeed destroying medical aspirations of youngsters from Tamil Nadu. He also said that a resolution was passed in the state assembly for the exemption of the exam and that the Centre must get the consent of President to pass it.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam chief TTV Dhinakaran, Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy, and filmmaker Pa Ranjith have expressed their discontent about the introduction of NEET in the state.

The NEET exam was banned in Tamil Nadu for nine years by the state government. However, the BJP government has refused to renew the exemption. In the last two years, at least six students have committed suicide in the state itself after failing to crack the exam.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling at Sneha’s helpline 044-24640050.

Also Read: Re-Exam On May 20 For 500 Students Who Missed Out On NEET Due to 7-Hour Train Delay