Edappadi K Palaniswami asks DMK if 'NEET deaths' does not prick its conscience
The AIADMK chief, a former chief minister, named as many as 19 students, and alleged they had ended their lives, between September 2021 and March 2025, due to fears over clearing NEET;
Edappadi K Palaniswami
CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday asked the ruling DMK whether the continuing NEET deaths in Tamil Nadu not prick its conscience. He alleged that the DMK leaders have the blood of several aspirants on their hands.
Expressing shock over yet another aspirant’s, the leader of opposition blamed the DMK for NEET’s introduction as it was a constituent of the Congress-led UPA from 2004 till 2013.
EPS slammed the DMK on social media and for “laying the foundation for shattering the dreams of Tamil Nadu students to study medicine. For the DMK, which deceived (the people) by spreading a blatant lie that there will not be a NEET exam in Tamil Nadu if it assumes power in the state; does not the continuing NEET deaths prick its conscience?”
He also named 19 students who had died by suicide between September 2021 and March 2025, due to fears over clearing NEET. “What is the answer from Chief Minister Stalin for these?” EPS asked.
Taking a swipe at Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for his claim that he and his party knew the secret to do away with NEET, EPS wanted to know “How many more lives should be lost?”.
Accusing the DMK government of being responsible for the death of the student, he stated: “Put a full stop to the NEET exam drama! Do not deceive students.”
Meanwhile, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has demanded the State government pay Rs 25 lakh to the victim’s family. In a statement, he said, “Dharshini had written the entrance exam 3 times but could not score the required marks to get medical admission. To clear the exam this year, she was attending private coaching classes in Anna Nagar.”
Saying that Dharshini is the second victim of NEET this year after Indumathi near Tindivanam, Anbumani raised concerns over the continuity in NEET-related suicides for 8 years.
“NEET is not necessary in Tamil Nadu. The statistics show that NEET did not improve medical education or prevent commercialisation of medical education. The Union government does not listen to anyone, and the State government too failed to fulfil its promise,” he added.