Chennai
After the post-mortem, the body of Anitha was handed over to her parents on Saturday. Collector K Lakshmi Priya placed a wreath. Subsequently, music director GV Prakash, directors Gowthaman, Pa Ranjith, and Ameer, DK president K Veeramani, PDK president Suba Veerapandian, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavam, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan, Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchy N Siva, AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran, DVK president Kolathur Mani, Naam Tamilar Katchi president Seeman, Congress, CPI, CPM, Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, teachers associations, student federations and school students paid their respects. Director Pa Ranjith demanded the resignation of Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar owing up moral responsibility for Anitha’s death.
Thirumavalavan to the rescue of TTV Dinakaran
When AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran visited Kuzhumur, the SFI members raised slogans against him stating that he is a part of the ruling party that failed to help the rural students. When they attempted to besiege him, VCK chief Thirumavalavan came to the rescue of Dinakaran.
Stop blame game, says Radhakrishnan
MADURAI: Stating that he was largely disappointed by the suicide of Anitha, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan on Saturday urged the politicians to make responsible comments on the issue.
Addressing media persons at Madurai airport, Radhakrishnan said that the words of politicians should encourage students rather than driving them towards suicide.
Grieving the death of the Dalit girl, the Union Minister said, “Anitha’s death is not just a loss for the family but for the entire nation. She was a brilliant student, who had scored 1176 in Class 12 exam. It was not an ordinary achievement.” He urged the students not to take such extreme steps and requested the politicians to refrain from making irresponsible statements and comments, which may not be in the good interests of the youth.
When pointed out that the protesters are blaming the BJP for the death of Anitha, he replied that it is not the time to play blame game. “If I start blaming the persons responsible, they will have to resign from their posts,” he said and added that he would visit Anitha’s family soon. Radhakrishnan was also elusive on questions about the earlier promises made by BJP Ministers and functionaries on NEET exemption.
State doing its best: Meanwhile, Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju said that the state has spent crores of rupees to print study materials for the students to train them to crack the NEET.
Expressing his condolences on the death of Anitha, the Minister said that state is taking various steps to create opportunities for students in NEET exam.
He further said that, the government led by Edappadi K Palaniswami has tried its best to get exemption from NEET. “Unfortunately, we have to follow the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court,” Raju added.