Anti-NEET protests persist in Chennai despite Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's latest Assembly resolution against NEET has not silenced the streets. A former IRS officer's hunger strike is in its 20th day in Tiruvottiyur, a 24-day sit-in continues in Egmore, and protesters are demanding nothing less than NEET's complete abolition — exposing the widening gap between legislative gestures and ground-level anger.
Key Takeaways
Anti-NEET protests are active at two locations in Chennai — Tiruvottiyur and Egmore — despite the Tamil Nadu Assembly passing a fresh resolution against the exam.
Former IRS officer Balamurugan has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 27 July , with his fast entering its 20th day as of 16 August.
The OG Tamizha collective's sit-in at Thayagam Complex, Egmore has continued for 24 days , drawing students, activists, and educationists daily.
A 2024 Bill by the DMK government seeking NEET exemption did not receive presidential assent, leaving Tamil Nadu's legislative efforts unresolved.
Health Minister K.G.
Arunraj argued NEET favours students from wealthy backgrounds and disadvantages rural and socially marginalised aspirants.
Protesters are urging Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to approve the Assembly resolution; the Centre has not indicated any exemption.
Anti-NEET demonstrations continue across Chennai even after the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a fresh resolution opposing the centralised medical entrance examination, with protesters insisting that nothing short of NEET's complete abolition will safeguard disadvantaged students. Two active agitations — in Tiruvottiyur and Egmore — show no signs of winding down as of 16 August.
Hunger Strike Enters 20th Day in Tiruvottiyur
Former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Balamurugan has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 27 July, with his fast entering its 20th day. Conducting the protest from his home — as no designated venue has been provided by authorities — he has vowed to continue until his demands are met.
Balamurugan is seeking a NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu and has raised two additional demands: the resignation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over his reported remarks concerning cockroaches, and the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged assault on students in Delhi. Concern over his health has been mounting as the fast continues.
Manirathnam, brother of the late medical aspirant S. Anitha — whose death in 2017 became a defining moment in Tamil Nadu's anti-NEET movement — visited Balamurugan and urged the state government to arrange medical examinations and allot a proper venue for the agitation.
Anti-NEET Federation Pauses, Others Press On
Manirathnam and members of the Anti-NEET Federation-Tamil Nadu had earlier called off their own 12-day hunger strike after the Assembly passed its resolution, acknowledging that one of their demands had been addressed. However, the group continues to push for the restoration of education to the State List — which would allow individual states to determine their own admission policies — and for the eventual abolition of NEET entirely.
Egmore Sit-In Marks 24 Days
A parallel protest organised by the OG Tamizha collective has been running for 24 days at the Thayagam Complex on Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road in Egmore. Held daily from 3 pm to 9 pm, the sit-in draws students, educationists, and activists, deploying music, theatre, and dance under the slogan 'Let's celebrate resistance'.
Educationist Prince Gajendra Babu and Manirathnam are among those who have expressed solidarity with the demonstrators. Protesters have also urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to approve the Assembly resolution.
Legislative History and Government's Position
This is not Tamil Nadu's first legislative push against NEET. A 2024 Bill passed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government seeking exemption from the examination did not receive presidential assent, leaving the state's anti-NEET efforts stalled at the Centre.
Moving the latest resolution in the Assembly, Health and Medical Education Minister K.G. Arunraj argued that NEET disproportionately benefits students who can afford expensive coaching classes, while weakening focus on the school curriculum. He contended that the examination has curtailed opportunities for rural, poor, and socially disadvantaged students, undermining equity in medical admissions.
What Comes Next
With the Governor yet to act on the resolution and the Centre showing no indication of granting a NEET exemption, the standoff between Tamil Nadu and the Union government over medical admissions policy appears set to deepen. The fate of Balamurugan's hunger strike and the Governor's response to the Assembly resolution will be the key developments to watch in the coming days.
Point of View
At best, a political signal — it carries no binding force without presidential assent, as the 2024 Bill's fate made clear. The persistence of street protests, including a 20-day hunger strike, reveals that a section of civil society no longer trusts legislative theatre to deliver results. What is often missed in coverage is the structural contradiction: Tamil Nadu has consistently topped NEET merit lists in some years, yet its political class frames the exam as inherently discriminatory against its students. The more honest argument — that coaching-dependent exams entrench class privilege regardless of state — is the one that deserves national scrutiny, not just Tamil Nadu's.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are anti-NEET protests continuing in Chennai despite the Assembly resolution?
Protesters argue that the Assembly resolution is a symbolic gesture and that only the complete abolition of NEET can protect disadvantaged students. Since the resolution requires presidential assent to have legal force — and a similar 2024 Bill was denied assent — campaigners do not consider it sufficient.
Who is Balamurugan and what are his demands?
Balamurugan is a former Indian Revenue Service officer who has been on an indefinite hunger strike in Tiruvottiyur since 27 July. He is demanding a NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu, the resignation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over reported remarks, and the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged assault on students in Delhi.
What is the OG Tamizha protest in Egmore?
The OG Tamizha collective has been holding a daily sit-in at Thayagam Complex on Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road in Egmore for 24 days. The protest runs from 3 pm to 9 pm and uses music, theatre, and dance under the slogan 'Let's celebrate resistance' to mobilise students and activists.
What happened to Tamil Nadu's earlier NEET exemption Bill?
A Bill passed by the DMK government in 2024 seeking exemption from NEET did not receive presidential assent, effectively blocking Tamil Nadu from implementing its own medical admission policy. The latest Assembly resolution faces the same constitutional hurdle.
What has the Tamil Nadu government said about NEET?
Health and Medical Education Minister K.G. Arunraj argued in the Assembly that NEET benefits students who can afford costly coaching, weakens school curriculum focus, and reduces opportunities for rural, poor, and socially disadvantaged students — undermining equality in medical admissions.
