In a sharp critique of the Union government’s handling of the recent NEET scam, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has denounced the decision to cancel grace marks as a mere ploy to deflect from deeper issues. In a message posted on his official ‘X’ page, Stalin asserted that the Union government’s agreement to cancel grace marks was an “admission of their own ineptitude” and a superficial attempt to address the scandal that has shaken the nation.Stalin emphasized that the core problems of irregularities and unprofessional conduct in NEET examinations cannot be ignored. He accused the Union government of not only demonstrating incompetence but also showing apathy towards the agony faced by millions of students across the country. “While condemning their incompetence as well as apathy towards the agony of lakhs of students, we reiterate that the only solution for this issue is to restore the role of state governments in deciding the method of selection for MBBS courses,” Stalin declared.
The NEET scam, which has exposed significant flaws in the examination’s administration, has drawn widespread criticism and demands for a thorough investigation. Prominent leaders including AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have joined Stalin in calling for a detailed probe into the alleged malpractices.
Stalin’s opposition to NEET is not new. The Chief Minister highlighted that his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), was among the first to foresee the potential hazards of NEET and has been vocal against it from the beginning. The Tamil Nadu government, under Stalin’s leadership, had even passed a Bill in the State Assembly seeking an exemption for the state from NEET. However, the Bill has been stalled, awaiting Presidential assent due to an inordinate delay by the Tamil Nadu governor.