Hunger Strike for NEET Abolition Enters Tenth Day

As the hunger strike against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) reached its tenth day on Monday, protesters at Thiruvalluvar Illam in Koyambedu continued their demand for the exam’s abolition. They urged the state government to pass a law exempting Kerala from NEET.

S.A. Manirathnam, brother of S. Anitha, an MBBS aspirant who passed away, said: “The state government must support us and stand against the Centre and its enemy, the BJP. The government must do everything possible to make sure the NEET exam is abolished.”

This protest comes after a similar demonstration in Delhi by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar.

Four people are on hunger strike demanding the end of NEET. Puliyanthope Mohan, an advocate leading the protest, said: “Our fight began in 2017 and hasn’t stopped. The Delhi protest was just a turning point. We will continue until NEET is banned and the government passes the required law.”

Four days ago, School Education Minister Rajmohan promised government support to protesters, but they have seen no progress yet. Protesters pointed out that pending cases against them remain unresolved, the promise of a bill hasn’t been fulfilled, and their request for a protest site continues to be denied.

(Assistance for those struggling with suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)