Indian Politician Calls for Abolition of National Medical Exam
A prominent Indian political leader is urging the government to scrap a national medical entrance exam, citing its failure to deliver on key promises. MK Stalin, president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, stated on Thursday that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has not reduced student stress, eliminated commercialization in education, or improved standards.
Stalin posted on X, a social media platform, that NEET has instead moved the focus of learning from schools to expensive coaching centers. He emphasized that the issues with NEET are fundamental, not just minor procedural problems, and recent events have proven this concern valid.
The politician believes the current student protests should alert the central government. He called on authorities to trust individual states and abolish the exam. On Wednesday, Stalin also supported students protesting in the capital, Delhi, arguing that only by removing NEET can a lasting solution be found for their concerns.
Stalin noted that the student demonstrations in New Delhi have now gained nationwide attention. He reminded readers that his party had warned early on that NEET was structured in a way that could lead to widespread irregularities. He stressed that the DMK has consistently opposed NEET due to these potential dangers.
The leader asserted that the abolition of NEET should be the main focus of the ongoing protests in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area. He highlighted that Tamil Nadu, a state known for its social justice initiatives, has a clear demand: end NEET. Stalin concluded that scrapping the exam is the only way to resolve all related problems, stating, “Ban NEET, Save Students.”
