TN parties seek complete exemption from NEET

Easier question paper for students from northern parts of India and difficult one for those from Tamil Nadu. This was the reason A Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK-Amma) gave in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday for students from his state “not being able” to secure marks in National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) — the all India test for medical admissions.

“Two sets of questions have been framed. The easier question paper was distributed to the northern states and the tough question paper was given to the Tamil Nadu students and hence, they were not able to secure more marks. This is total discrimination,” he said as rivals AIADMK and DMK found a common cause to demand exemption from NEET.

Verge of suicide
The students were on the verge of committing suicide because of the test, he added. Tamil Nadu has been seeking to be exempted from the NEET and be allowed to conduct its own entrance exams for admission to medical colleges in the state.

The NEET was envisaged to lessen students’ burden so that they do not have to appear for separate entrance exams. The issue was raised by A K Selvaraj (AIADMK) during the Zero Hour, who found immediate support from DMK’s Kanimozhi.

“The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a law and it is pending for the President’s approval. It is not correct to say that we want an exemption for one year. We want a permanent exemption. We don’t want NEET for Tamil Nadu students,” she said. R K Rangarajan (CPM) and D Raja (CPI) also seconded the demand.