The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central government to exempt the state from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and allow the admission of students to medical courses based on their Plus Two examination marks.
Resolution Details and Assembly Proceedings
Despite opposition and a walkout from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the resolution was adopted by the House. The resolution called upon the Centre to amend the National Medical Commission Act and abolish the nationwide screening test, citing increasing opposition and irregularities associated with NEET in various states that align with Tamil Nadu’s stance.
Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin, who piloted the resolution, argued that NEET was discriminatory, depriving rural and poor students of opportunities to access medical education. He emphasized that the test undermines the states’ rights to admit students based on Plus Two marks as the qualifying criteria.
BJP’s Opposition and Walkout
BJP leader Nainar Nagendran contended that NEET was necessary due to its numerous benefits. He highlighted that provisions like the 7.5 percent reservation for state government school students who pass NEET, initiated by former Union Health Minister J P Nadda and then-Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, were in place to support rural and poor students.
“NEET is needed. The Assembly resolution against NEET is unacceptable, and we are staging a walkout,” Nagendran stated, leading the BJP legislators in walking out of the session.
Support from PMK and Absence of AIADMK
The PMK, an ally of the BJP, supported the resolution. However, the principal opposition AIADMK was absent from the House, as all its members were suspended for the brief session concluding on June 29 due to disruptions over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy incident.
Chief Minister Stalin’s Arguments and Historical Context
Chief Minister Stalin reiterated the DMK’s consistent opposition to NEET since its mandatory implementation in 2017. He recalled the two earlier Assembly resolutions seeking presidential assent to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and highlighted the party’s massive signature campaign to abolish the test.
Stalin pointed to various irregularities in NEET’s conduct, including scams and the awarding and rescinding of grace marks, which prompted the Centre to order a CBI enquiry. He also cited support from leaders like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav, who have all demanded the scrapping of NEET.
“The voice of Tamil Nadu has now become the voice of the country,” Stalin proclaimed, urging members to support the resolution against NEET.
Resolution’s Key Points and Conclusion
The resolution emphasized the need to abolish NEET, allowing Tamil Nadu to admit students to medical courses based on Plus Two marks, considering the irregularities and opposition in several states. “The Centre should appropriately amend the National Medical Commission Act to totally scrap NEET,” the resolution stated.
Speaker M Appavu announced the unanimous passage of the resolution, marking a significant step in Tamil Nadu’s ongoing efforts to reform medical education admissions in the state.
(With PTI inputs)
