Palaniswami Blames DMK for NEET Aspirants' Deaths
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Synopsis
Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the AIADMK leader and Tamil Nadu's Opposition head, has accused DMK leaders of being responsible for the tragic deaths of NEET aspirants, particularly following the suicide of a girl in Dindigul. He blames the DMK for the implementation of NEET and calls for accountability regarding student suicides.
Key Takeaways
- Palaniswami criticizes DMK for NEET-related deaths.
- Recent tragedy involves a NEET aspirant from Dindigul.
- DMK accused of false promises regarding NEET abolition.
- 19 student suicides linked to NEET stress have occurred.
- Palaniswami urges students to remain hopeful.
Chennai, March 29 (NationPress) The AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu's Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has launched a fierce critique of the ruling DMK, holding its leaders accountable for the tragic deaths of numerous NEET aspirants within the state.
In response to the recent passing of Dharshini, a young girl from Dindigul who was preparing for the NEET examination at a private institution in Anna Nagar, Chennai, Palaniswami expressed profound shock and sadness.
Dharshini had been preparing for the test since 2021 and had attempted it twice previously. Unable to meet the cutoff scores, she was reportedly under great emotional strain and allegedly took her own life on Saturday (March 29), overwhelmed by anxiety about the upcoming test scheduled for May 4.
Palaniswami attributed the unfortunate circumstances to the DMK, asserting that the party is responsible for establishing the framework for NEET during its alliance with the Congress-led UPA from 2004 to 2013.
In a strongly worded statement on social media platform X, the former Chief Minister remarked, “The DMK has paved the way for crushing the aspirations of Tamil Nadu students aiming to pursue a career in medicine.” He accused the ruling party of betraying the public by falsely assuring that NEET would be abolished if they came into power.
He further added, “For the DMK, which misled the populace by propagating the blatant falsehood that NEET would not exist in Tamil Nadu if they took office -- don’t the ongoing student fatalities trouble your conscience?” Citing 19 student suicides between September 2021 and March 2025, Palaniswami placed the blame directly on the DMK, which took office on May 7, 2021.
“What explanation does Chief Minister M.K. Stalin have for the 19 lost lives?” he inquired. He posed the question, “How will DMK leaders erase the bloodstains accumulated on their hands due to a significant deception for political gain?” Urging an immediate cessation of the “NEET examination drama,” the AIADMK leader stated that the ruling party is entirely responsible for the stress-related death of the Dindigul student.
“Do not mislead students any further, Stalin,” he appealed. Taking a jab at Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his previous statement that the DMK had a ‘secret’ strategy to abolish NEET, Palaniswami questioned, “How many more lives must be lost before that secret is revealed?” In closing, he encouraged students not to succumb to hopelessness. “Advance with confidence. Life is vast, and the world is expansive,” he advised.
