CJP Chief Abhijeet Backs Tamil Nadu’s Anti-NEET Hunger Strike
Three protesters continue their indefinite fast as the state government seeks more time to pass an Assembly resolution against NEET.
CHENNAI, Aug 11: Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has extended his support to the Anti-NEET Federation’s indefinite hunger strike in Tamil Nadu, speaking to the protesters through a video call on Monday.
The federation is demanding an end to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and has also called for education to be brought under the State List.
Four members had initially joined the fast, but one protester was later hospitalised after his health deteriorated and subsequently withdrew from the agitation. The remaining three have continued their hunger strike for 10 days.
Manirathinam, brother of federation head S Anitha, said members of the CJP’s Tamil Nadu unit met Dipke and briefed him about the ongoing protest. According to him, the CJP founder expressed solidarity with the protesters but said he was unable to meet them personally because of health issues.
Manirathinam recalled that Dipke had earlier supported the demand for abolishing NEET and shifting education to the State List, arguing that these measures were necessary to address concerns surrounding the examination.
Meanwhile, Students’ Federation of India national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh is expected to visit the protesters and join the agitation on August 20.
The development came a day after Health Minister KG Arunraj held discussions with the fasting protesters and appealed to them to end their hunger strike. The minister assured them that the Tamil Nadu government would introduce a resolution in the Assembly opposing NEET, but requested another 10 days to complete the process.
The protesters, however, rejected the request and said they would consider ending their fast if the resolution was passed within two or three days.
They have also sought permission to conduct a continuous public protest against the Union government, maintaining that their demands require sustained political and public attention.
The hunger strike continues amid renewed calls in Tamil Nadu for changes to the medical admission system and greater control over education-related policies at the state level.
