(Disclaimer: The following article will have mentions of suicide)
Filmmaker Pa Ranjith, who is known for his strong political stands, called for a strong stand against the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) that determines admission into undergraduate medical college seats in India, in a social media post on Tuesday.
“We and our non-firm stance [in the issue] are responsible for the deaths of students due to the fear of NEET,” he said.
He further requested the Tamil Nadu government to work more actively to opt out of the exam in the state for the future of the students.
The filmmaker’s statement comes in the wake of two more deaths by suicide of medical aspirants in the state, 17-year-old Kanimozhi and 20-year-old Dhanush of Ariyalur and Salem districts, respectively. Both students took their own lives over fear of NEET. They are the latest in a long list of students in the state who have faced the same fate since the implementation of the entrance test.
Kanimozhi belonged to the same district as S Anitha, whose death by suicide in March 2000 after losing a legal battle against NEET became a topic of national outrage.
Pa Ranjith, while addressing Anitha’s death in the past, has called out for the scrapping of the exam and instilling social justice and equality.
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Various other Tamil film personalities too have expressed concerns over the issue in the past. These include actors R Madhavan and Suriya, and musician-actor GV Prakash, among others. Suriya, in a detailed note released on behalf of his educational organisation Agaram Foundation in June, had termed NEET a “threat to students.” He further added that since education opportunities are often different for marginalised students and those who come from wealthy and privileged backgrounds, conducting a common entrance test is social injustice.
It is important to note that the TN State Assembly on Monday introduced a bill, moved by Chief Minister MK Stalin-led government, seeking to do away with NEET for undergraduate medical courses.
If you or someone you know is in need of support for suicidal thoughts or behaviour, please reach out to the following helpline numbers:
AASRA- 24×7 Helpline (Hindi and English): +91-9820466726
KIRAN- 24×7 Helpline: 1800-599-0019
(Translation inputs: Ramya Ashok Kumar)