Anti-NEET Agitation Intensifies Across Tamil Nadu, Hundreds Detained

The agitation against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) gathered fresh momentum across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with coordinated protests spreading from Chennai to Madurai, Erode, Trichy and Kallakurichi. Student organisations, political parties, civil society groups and prominent filmmakers joined the demonstrations, demanding the complete abolition of NEET and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and question paper leaks.

The protests, held in solidarity with the ongoing student agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, mark the latest chapter in Tamil Nadu's long-standing opposition to NEET. The state has consistently argued that the national entrance examination places state board, rural, Tamil-medium and government school students at a disadvantage while increasing dependence on expensive coaching institutions. Successive state governments have sought exemption from NEET, advocating medical admissions based on Class XII board examination marks.

In Thiruparankundram, Madurai, activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) blocked a train, leading to a confrontation with police before several protesters were detained. Similar demonstrations took place near the Erode Collectorate, while student groups organised sit-in protests in Chennai. Authorities detained more than 100 protesters in Madurai and Trichy, with over 50 more arrested in Kallakurichi after a road blockade. Some detainees also alleged police excesses during their arrest.

Adding weight to the movement, acclaimed filmmakers Pa. Ranjith, Vetrimaaran and Ameer led a major protest in Egmore, condemning the police action and calling for NEET to be scrapped. Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan reiterated that abolishing NEET remains the state's official position, while P. Chidambaram said the resignation of the Union Education Minister could help ease tensions. Udhayanidhi Stalin described NEET as a barrier to higher education for poor and rural students and pledged that the DMK would continue its campaign against the examination.

Police tightened security across Chennai by sealing roads leading to Marina Beach and deploying additional personnel to prevent large gatherings. Meanwhile, the controversy has expanded beyond the examination itself into a wider debate over educational equity, examination integrity, federalism and access to medical education, with the Supreme Court set to hear petitions alleging police excesses during the anti-NEET protests.