Rahul Gandhi Urges Tamil Nadu CM to Advocate for NEET Students’ Justice

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached out to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, expressing his party’s commitment to seeking justice for students affected by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), as per the state government’s announcement on Sunday.

In a communication to Stalin, Gandhi highlighted his interactions with numerous students over the past month who have been impacted by what he referred to as a ‘massive failure’ on the part of the Union government and the National Testing Agency. The Congress leader emphasized the urgent need for justice for the approximately twenty-four lakh students affected.

Gandhi, in his letter, specifically acknowledged Stalin’s correspondence dated June 28, 2024, concerning NEET, and expressed gratitude for the same. He reiterated the Congress party’s ongoing efforts to advocate for fairness and equity in the context of NEET.

Moreover, Gandhi’s address in the Lok Sabha regarding NEET underscored the systemic flaws in higher education and shed light on the challenges faced by students from marginalized backgrounds. He emphasized the necessity of leveling the playing field for aspirants who lack access to coaching centers and resources for competitive exams.

The government’s statement revealed that Gandhi praised Tamil Nadu for its commendable public sector medical education infrastructure, which has contributed to a robust public health system in the state. He voiced concerns about any potential weakening of this infrastructure and its negative impact.

Highlighting the irregularities associated with NEET, Stalin had previously written to Chief Ministers of opposition-led states like Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal, urging them to pass resolutions in their respective legislative assemblies calling for the abolition of NEET. This initiative followed Tamil Nadu’s resolution seeking exemption from the exam.