In a rare display of bonhomie, MPs belonging to arch rivals the AIADMK and the DMK joined hands in the Rajya Sabha on July 19 to seek exemption for Tamil Nadu from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions.
AIADMK's A.K. Selvaraj raised the issue during zero hour and DMK member K. Kanimozhi joined him, saying Tamil Nadu wants permanent exemption from the NEET. Mr. Selvaraj pointed out that the NEET was based on the CBSE syllabus and 90% of T.N. students were from State Board.
Ms. Kanimozhi recalled that a resolution of the State government had sought a permanent exemption from the NEET and not a temporary one-year one. Infrastructure in medical colleges was developed by the State and the State's students had the right to claims the seats, she contended.
AIADMK member A. Navaneethakrishnan said many students in the State were on the verge of committing suicide over the issue. He claimed that tougher question papers were distributed to the students of South India.
T.K. Rangarajan asked why the Central government was not accepting resolution,
Coming in support of the Tamil Nadu members, Congress member Anand Sharma raised a point of order saying the government should make it clear without passing the buck to the President on the Tamil Nadu Assembly's resolution (seeking exemption from the NEET).
D. Raja of the CPI too came in support of the State MPs.
Responding to the demand, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The matter is sub judice. We have met everyone concerned and the issue is an advanced stage.”
Dissatisfied with the response, the AIADMK members trooped into the Well of the House and started raising slogans: “We want exemption,” they shouted. They were soon joined by the DMK members.
The ruckus continued even as JD(U) member Ali Anwar Ansari spoke about manual scavenging and amid shouts of “shame!”
When Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda offered to give a response, he was told by the Chair that he would speak only if the agitating members returned to their seats. As the members went back to their seats, the Minister clarified that his Ministry had sent its response (on the resolution) and the papers were with the President’ office.
As the issue of the manual scavenging was getting debated, the Tamil Nadu MPs calmed down following a request from Mr. Raja.