Thu Apr 10 16:58:42 UTC 2025: ## AIADMK to Hold Memorials for NEET-Related Student Suicides
**Chennai, April 10, 2025** – The AIADMK announced plans to hold memorial services across Tamil Nadu on April 19th to honor students who have died by suicide due to stress related to the NEET medical entrance exam. This announcement comes a day after the party boycotted a state government meeting aimed at intensifying legal efforts to secure an exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for what he called broken promises to abolish NEET. He highlighted that 22 students have died by suicide since the DMK government took office in 2021, claiming the government’s actions regarding NEET have been insufficient. Palaniswami further criticized the withdrawal of a previous Supreme Court case against NEET by the current government and the subsequent filing of a new case.
Palaniswami contrasted the current government’s actions with the temporary NEET exemption secured by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa between 2011 and 2016. He accused the current leadership of making false promises to students and parents regarding NEET’s abolition.
The AIADMK’s boycott of the legislative party meeting stemmed from their belief that the Chief Minister and his Deputy are incapable of abolishing NEET. The party’s planned memorials serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing controversy surrounding NEET in Tamil Nadu and the human cost associated with it. (Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)
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