A 19-year-old NEET aspirant in Tamil Nadu died by suicide on Friday, just days before the scheduled re-examination. The incident took place in Coimbatore, where the student was found hanging in his room. This marks the second such tragedy in the state within a month, sparking widespread protests and renewed calls for exam reforms.
Details of the Incident
The deceased, identified as R. Karthik, was a resident of Coimbatore and had been preparing for the NEET exam for over a year. According to police reports, he was under immense stress due to the upcoming re-exam, which was announced after the cancellation of the original exam due to irregularities. His family stated that he had been anxious and depressed in recent weeks.
On Friday morning, Karthik locked himself in his room and did not respond to calls. When his parents forced open the door, they found him hanging from the ceiling fan. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Protests Erupt in Coimbatore
Following the news of Karthik's death, students and local residents gathered outside his house and later marched to the district collectorate, demanding action. Protesters held placards reading "Stop NEET Pressure" and "Reforms Needed." They alleged that the examination system is pushing students to extreme steps.
Police were deployed to control the situation, but the protests remained peaceful. Several student organizations have called for a statewide strike on Monday to demand a review of the NEET process and better mental health support for aspirants.
Previous Incident
Last month, a 20-year-old NEET aspirant from Chennai died by suicide under similar circumstances. That incident had also triggered protests and a debate on the high-stakes nature of the medical entrance exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had announced a re-exam for affected candidates after a paper leak scandal, which has added to the anxiety of students.
Calls for Action
Political leaders and activists have condemned the incident. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed condolences and reiterated his government's demand to scrap NEET, calling it a "discriminatory exam." He urged the central government to adopt a more holistic admission process based on Class 12 marks.
Psychologists have emphasized the need for counseling and stress management programs for students. The state education department has announced a helpline for NEET aspirants to seek psychological support.
The tragic event has once again brought attention to the mental health crisis among competitive exam aspirants in India.
