Tamil Nadu Minister Udaynidhi Stalin Criticizes Governor and Calls for End of NEET
In a recent development, Udaynidhi Stalin, the State Secretary of the DMK youth wing and Tamil Nadu Minister, has strongly condemned the state’s Governor, R.N. Ravi, demanding that he change his name to RSS Ravi in an address at the valedictory function of a one-day hunger strike organized by the DMK youth wing and doctors wing.
During his speech, Udaynidhi Stalin, who is also the son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, criticized the Governor’s approach and stated that if he espoused his opinions in Tamil Nadu, the people would rebuke him by hurling slippers. He further argued that the Governor’s role is merely that of a postman, tasked with conveying messages between the state and central governments.
In a bold challenge, Udaynidhi Stalin called on the Governor to step down from his position and contest elections in Tamil Nadu, asserting that even an ordinary DMK worker could defeat him. The Minister firmly believes that the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to the MBBS course should be abolished, as it has led to tragic incidents of student suicides.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the Union government’s refusal to annul NEET, the DMK youth wing organized a one-day hunger strike across various district headquarters in Tamil Nadu, except for Madurai where the protest is scheduled for Wednesday.
The DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has long been critical of NEET, arguing that it creates an unfair advantage for affluent students from urban areas and places undue pressure on aspiring doctors from marginalized communities or rural backgrounds. They believe that a state-level examination system would provide a more equitable opportunity for all students.
However, it is worth noting that there are varying perspectives on the NEET issue. Some proponents argue that a standardized entrance examination is necessary to ensure that only the best candidates are admitted to medical colleges, thus upholding the quality of healthcare professionals in the country. They contend that removing NEET could potentially compromise the standard of medical education.
The clash between Udaynidhi Stalin and the Governor highlights the contentious debate surrounding NEET in Tamil Nadu. As the state government and the central government continue to differ on this issue, it remains to be seen how it will be resolved in the best interest of the students and the future of medical education in the state.
