CHENNAI — Anti-NEET demonstrations erupted across Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, with students and political activists taking to the streets in Chennai, Madurai, Vellore, and Tirunelveli to demand the complete abolition of the medical entrance exam.
The protests follow a violent crackdown in New Delhi on July 20, where police used tear gas and lathi-charges to break up a 'Chalo Sansad' march organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged paper leaks and evaluation irregularities. The resulting injuries to hundreds of demonstrators have sparked widespread outrage and solidarity rallies across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
In Chennai, demonstrations spread through major educational hubs—including the University of Madras, State College, and Dr. Ambedkar Law University—alongside rallies outside the CPI office in T. Nagar. Student outfits like the Students' Federation of India (SFI) joined the protests, leading to several detentions by police for demonstrating without prior clearance.
Reiterating the state’s opposition to the exam, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan affirmed government support for peaceful protests, calling the abolition of NEET the "only permanent solution." Urging the Centre to restore education to the State List, Rajmohan also condemned the recent arrest of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Delhi while advising local demonstrators to maintain public order. Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi visited CJP protesters in New Delhi, declaring that the agitation would persist until NEET is scrapped nationwide.
