The Tamil Nadu state government has been insisting on exemption from the NEET exam for medical admissions over the last several years. The current controversy between the central government and the state government led by the DMK has become stronger after a setback for Tamil Nadu. President Droupadi Murmu has declined the anti-NEET bill tabled by the state. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin confirmed this during the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
CM Stalin's Response
CM Stalin condemned the decision and said, "Despite offering all explanations, the central government will not exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET. It is an insult to our state. Yet, although they refuse our request, they cannot arrest our struggle. We will resort to legal avenues and take legal advice." In order to finalize the future steps, an all-party meeting has been convened for April 9.
Concerns Over Student Suicides
The Tamil Nadu state government believes that the NEET exam is the reason behind the increase in suicides among students. To combat this, the state enacted a bill to de facto exclude Tamil Nadu from NEET and use Class 12 marks for admission into medical college. The state assembly passed this bill twice, first in 2021 and again in 2022, before it went to the Governor who rejected the bill several times. Following amendments, the bill was tabled for President's assent, which has since been refused.
Continuous Conflict Between Center and Tamil Nadu
The central government and the government of Tamil Nadu have continuous disagreements regarding a number of issues, such as the controversy surrounding the Hindi language and delimitation. With the rejection of the NEET bill, tensions are likely to rise higher. The events are significant, particularly with the next year's Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
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