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The results of NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) have been released recently! Whatever predicted on the category of students who would get through has been reflected in the results. The purpose of NEET, as it was stated by the Union Government is to bring uniformity in the selection process for admission to medical and dental courses at all India level. The main apprehension raised against NEET was that the pattern of the questions framed are under CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) syllabus. How it is equitable when the majority of students appearing for NEET have not studied under CBSE. The marks secured in the State Board exams for +2 courses through yearlong study has become meaningless while judging the merit of the applicant – students. CBSE syllabus studied – urban based students are in an advantageous position to join the coaching classes for NEET preparation.The neglect of rural based students, despite their securing high marks in +2 final exams would take place. All these apprehensions have been proved in accurate terms in the results of NEET announced for the admission in the academic year 2017 – 18. In Tamil Nadu, the twin sisters, who stand FIRST at district level by securing the total marks of 1161 and 1165 out of 1200 under State Board have obtained only 146 and 151 respectively in NEET and are likely to be denied admission in M.B.B.S. course. Besides in the name of uniform evaluation of students at all India level, discriminations have been meted through different sets of question papers for the students who appear in vernacular languages. Even in it, there prevailed differential experiences in NEET in between the appeared on the vernacular languages. The Supreme Court of India in 2016, while deciding on exemption to certain states (including Tamil Nadu) from NEET, had stated that the syllabus on which NEET questions are framed and the State Board syllabus of +2 courses are different. Without eliminating such difference, conducting NEET under CBSE pattern would deny justice to a majority of students.
The States possess power to decide on medical admission under their control. The Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly had passed Bills unanimously to get permanent exemption from NEET and sent them for the assent of the President of India. The Union Government has not even forwarded the Bills so far to the President. Without advising the position of the Bills to the State, NEET was conducted. It is nothing but weakening the federal polity of the country!
In Tamil Nadu, out of the total students of +2 course only 2 per cent study under CBSE pattern. How can the rest of the students (98 per cent) be forced to attend NEET?The results of NEET have vindicated the apprehension. Out of 83, 859 students attended NEET on May 7, 2017 in Tamil Nadu, only 32570 (38.83 per cent) have got through it. Is it not blatant denial of equity? The position would be the same in other States too.
Blow to Social Justice:
After the release of the results of NEET, the Union Government has issued a notification on reservation provisions to be adhered for admission to medical courses based on NEET marks.
so far the category of 50.5 per cent was quoted as Open Competition. But the recent notification has mentioned it as Other Category. Only the candidates other than the SCs, the STs and OBCs can compete. It is a gross violation of the reservation policy so far adopted throughout the country.
The exclusive total reservation of 49.5 per cent (in Tamil Nadu it is 69 per cent) is meant for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled tribes and Other Backward Classes. In the balance of 50.5 per cent, the candidates hailing from all communities in the order of descendance on the marks secured by them would compete. Hence so far the category of 50.5 per cent was quoted as Open Competition. But the recent notification has mentioned it as Other Category. Only the candidates other than the SCs, the STs and OBCs can compete. It is a gross violation of the reservation policy so far adopted throughout the country. It is also against the provisions and spirit pronounced by the Indian Constitution.
When the students of the downtrodden communities, more of them hailing from rural areas, are denied justice in the name of NEET, the recent notification on reservation procedure has blatantly violated the policy, causing detriments to the dispensation of Social Justice. It is akin to the state of horse pushing down the rider and excavating a pit too to ditch the rider. The saffron ruler’s strategy of changing the ‘goal post’ for the opponent team to play is sustained by issuing the notification. Yes, when opposition on NEET is still enduring, turning the focus on reservation procedure has been commenced. The scope of the notification is not limited to medical course admission but its ramifications are beyond that, affecting the rights of the suppressed people. The saffron rulers deliberately arouse intense countrywide revolt of oppressed people!
