The list of students who committed suicide after giving NEET exam in Tamil Nadu and not getting a seat in Government Medical College is very long.
But for the first time along with a student, the father also committed suicide. The incident has sent shock waves among the people in ther state and the demand to abolish NEET isd gettinhg stronger.
Selvsekar, a photographer by profession living in Chromepet, Chennai, committed suicide at his home on Wednesday. Selvsekar had separated from his wife and lived with his only son.
His son Jagadeeshwaran secured 424 out of 500 marks in class 12th from a CBSE school. After this, he appeared in the NEET exam for the last two years. He wanted to get admission in a medical college. But his NEET score was not enough for admission in a government medical college.
Selvsekar had enrolled his son in a coaching center for re-examination. The fees had also been paid, but on August 12 Jagadeeswaran committed suicide when he was alonf in the house.
Son's suicide gave a big blow to father Selvsekar. Talking to the media on Sunday, Selvasekar had said that the NEET exam should be abolished.
He had said, “Everything will be better once the NEET exam is abolished. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had said that he would abolish NEET. They should do this. I brought up my son alone. Now I lost him because of NEET."
After his son's funeral, Selvsekar's friends consoled him and left. His younger sister stayed with him.
Selvsekar also ended life on Monday morning. Selvsekar's friends believe that he took this step due to loneliness.
Jagadeeswaran and many of his friends had a dream to study medicine. All of them joined a private NEET coaching center after 12th. Although Jagadeeswaran cleared the NEET exam in the last two years, he did not get enough marks to get admission in a government medical college.
Jagadeeswaran knew that his father's financial condition was not such that he could study in a private medical college.
So Jagadeeswaran decided to appear for the exam again and paid the coaching center fees. His friends say that Jagadeeswaran was probably depressed.
Was a topper in studies
His friends say he was a topper in studies, but he did not get admission in the Government Medical College. They say Jagadeeswaran's desire was to serve others by becoming a doctor.
His teacher Varamathi, who lives near Jagadeeswaran's house, says, “Neither his father nor anyone else forced Jagadeeswaran to study medicine. I don't know why he took this decision."
The central government started NEET i.e. National Eligibility Test for admission in medical colleges. Since then Tamil Nadu has been opposing it.
Girl student Anitha had ended life in 2017
In September 2017, a student named Anitha from Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu died of suicide because she did not get a place in a medical college despite scoring well.
Her death strengthened people's sentiments against NEET across Tamil Nadu.
The next year i.e. in 2018, Pradeepa from Villupuram district committed suicide because she got only 39 marks in NEET despite getting good marks in 12th.
Over 16 people have ended life
After this, more than 16 people have committed suicide. The Tamil Nadu government is constantly making efforts to abolish the NEET exam.
In the year 2019, the government led by ADMK's Palaniswami passed a bill in the assembly to abolish NEET exam in Tamil Nadu. It was sent for the seal of the President.
After this, an ordinance was brought to give 7.5 percent internal reservation to government school students for admission in medical colleges.
Later, when the DMK government came to power, a new bill was passed against NEET exam and Governor R.N. Ravi sent the bill back.
Then the Tamil Nadu government passed the bill and now it has gone to the President for his signature.
The recent suicide of father and son in the state has once again exposed the deep despair and sadness prevailing among the people regarding the NEET exam.
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