Amid deepening protests over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and growing political debate surrounding the pan-Indian medical entrance examination, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Tuesday reaffirmed its demand for the exam’s complete abolition. It asserted that its opposition extends beyond the alleged irregularities in the examination to the very existence of the test itself.
Posting a strongly-worded statement on its official ‘X’ handle, the party termed its position ‘uncompromising and firm,’ maintaining that NEET should be scrapped entirely. Its declaration came in the thick of the student-led demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where protestors have been demanding accountability over the alleged paper leak and reforms to the country’s medical admission process.
TVK logo
The party underscored that its stand on NEET has remained consistent and was not influenced by recent development surrounding the examination.
Party calls for greater powers for states
Besides its call for abolition of NEET, the TVK urged the Centre to transfer education from the Concurrent List to the State List of the Constitution, contending that state governments should have exclusive authority over educational policy, including admissions to medical institutions.
As per the party, empowering states would enable them to frame education policies tailored to local needs and ensure a better administrative autonomy.
TVK attacks rivals of exploiting NEET issue for political gains
The TVK’s statement also carried a political message, as it accused its rivals for exploiting the NEET issue for electoral advantage. Although it stopped short of naming the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), it alleged that certain political opponents had indulged in ‘fraudulent politics’ by repeatedly promising to abolish NEET without delivering on those assurances.
Furthermore, the TVK said it would never mislead the electorate through unrealistic commitments and insisted that its policy on NEET had remained transparent, as well as unwavering since its inception.
The party added that its chief and Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Viay had already outlined the government’s vision on education reforms and reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of the students.
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
TN rapper raises anti-NEET slogans outside Secretariat
The party’s statement comes against the backdrop of the NEET row assuming centre stage following large-scale student protests in the national capital over the alleged examination irregularities. The demonstrations have rekindled political debate over the future of the entrance test and the broader structure of medical admissions in India.
The issue also picked up pace in Tamil Nadu after rapper Therukkural Arivu raised anti-NEET slogans outside the State Secretariat and was removed by police later, adding a fresh dimension to the state’s deep-seated opposition to the examination.