DMK reiterates demand to abolish NEET

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran speaks in the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on July 28, 2026. Photo: Sansad TV via ANI.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday (28 July 2020) renewed its demand for scrapping of the National Entrance Test (NEET) in the Lok Sabha, saying that the proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law do not address the “core problem” of the medical entrance test itself.

During the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Amendment Bill, 2026, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said that Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET since its introduction and accused the Center of ignoring the state’s concerns.

“Enough is enough, ban NEET, abolish NEET. Don’t go for ‘One India, One Exam’. Our strength comes from our diversity,” Mr Maran said, claiming that 26 students in Tamil Nadu had died by suicide during the exam.

He alleged that NEET is disadvantaging first generation students and students from state boards while using coaching centres. Citing official data, he said that every year nearly 22 lakh students appear for NEET, about 12 lakh students qualify, but there are only about 1.39 lakh students for medical college.

Asked about the rationale for retaining the examination, Mr Maran asked whether NEET had improved the quality of doctors, reduced infant mortality, strengthened rural health care or addressed the shortage of doctors. He also mentioned the alleged irregularities in the examinations, including the 2024 and 2026 NEET disputes.”

We are not your enemy’

Mr Maran further claimed that he and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule were unable to use WhatsApp mailing lists for three days due to forwarding restrictions and criticized what he described as the government’s unequal treatment of social media platforms.

Ms Sule joined the debate and called on the government to respond to the problem with “empathy, compassion and sensitivity”. It demanded a meeting of all parties and the establishment of a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the dispute.

“We are not your enemy,” Ms Sule said, urging the government to take the matter more seriously.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 22:58 IST