Students committing suicide allegedly due to fear of failure in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is being blown out of proportion by some political parties in Tamil Nadu, say parents and aspiring medical students in the State.
“How come that only students from Tamil Nadu are the ones who resort to the extreme measure?” asks Vijayasree Ramesh, a lawyer cum social activist who is also a doting mother.
DMK president M K Stalin had described that NEET was not at all an examination following the reports of suicide by three students from different parts of the State. “They committed suicide even before they appeared in the test. That sounds strange,” said Vijayasree.
She said parents should be blamed for the suicides. “They pressurize the children to accomplish their dreams on children. Parents need counselling to handle children,” she said.
She was also for counselling the children. “The children aren’t given time to relax or take time off to pursue hobbies or divert their thought once negativity sets in,” said Vijayasree. She blamed parental and peer pressure for this phenomenon. “The crucial ten seconds to commit suicide .. if that’s evaded they can escape suicidal attempts. The parents should not allow children to be alone or lock up their rooms,” said Vijayasree.
Vanathi Srinivasan, senior BJP leader has something interesting to tell. “I had launched a free NEET coaching center for students from Coimbatore and Tiruppur. Students from 12 government schools were selected and were offered coaching. Six students made it to all India ranks list. I discontinued the coaching centres when Tamil Nadu Government set up such centres in all districts. But the DMK, having certain hidden agenda, was against NEET from day one despite their support to the Congress in ushering the system,” said Vanathi Srinivasan.
Vanathi is of the view that the approach of the DMK and the AIADMK was not pro-student. “They are trying to make the students to take up cudgels by spreading falsehoods against NEET,” she said. Vanathi and Vijayasree pointed out that the suicides are reported only from TN and not from anywhere else.