In a statement issued today (16 August), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) announced that a statewide hunger strike would be held by the party’s student wing, youth wing and doctors wing on 20 August against the centre and Governor RN Ravi for their attitude towards NEET.

The decision to hold a hunger strike comes after the suicides of a NEET aspirant, Jagadeeswaran and his father Selva Sekar in Chromepet.

Governor Ravi had recently said that if it were up to him, he would not give assent to the Bill passed by the state assembly to exempt the state from NEET. The Bill is now pending before the President.

Criticising Governor Ravi’s statement, Chief Minister MK Stalin had announced a boycott of the ‘At Home Reception’ at the Raj Bhavan on Independence Day. The event was later postponed due to flooding in the main lawns and the forecast of heavy rains in Chennai.

He also wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu requesting her to grant assent to the Bill.

The issue was also brought up by him yesterday during his Independence Day speech, in which he said that the ‘Education’ subject should be brought back to the State list to abolish exams like NEET.

Incidentally, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is scheduled to hold its state conference on the same day at Madurai.

Also Read: TN: Paid Rs 25 Lakh For Admission In Medical College Owned By DMK MP Jagathrakshakan Says Friend Of NEET Aspirant Who Committed Suicide