The death by suicide of another NEET student in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has sparked fresh protests against the medical entrance exam.
The 19-year-old was the daughter of the union president in Coimbatore. Her remains were initially taken to a private hospital, and from there the body was taken to Coimbatore ESI Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was conducted, news agency ANI reported.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG, originally conducted on May 3, has been canceled following allegations of irregularities and ‘paper leak’. The re-examination is scheduled for June 21.
Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest on the ESI hospital premises, demanding justice and declared that they would not receive her body until proper relief and justice were ensured for the family, according to ANI.
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More than 100 people, who were part of the protest, claimed that in previous cases involving deaths related to NEET re-examination, the government had announced compensation and relief to the bereaved families. They said that no such support had been provided to the relatives of the deceased, stressing that they would continue the agitation until adequate relief was announced.
NEET aspirant deaths in Dehradun, Rajasthan
The protests over the 19-year-old’s death come just a day after another NEET student in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, died by suicide in her room. The 23-year-old left a message expressing her dissatisfaction with her lack of success in her further studies.
News agency ANI reported that the victim scored 96.7% in the twelfth grade and later became a top student in college. She said in her note, which was found after her death: “I’m sorry for being a burden. This is no one’s fault but my incompetence. The best option is to end it. I love you. I’m sorry.”
On the same day, a 22-year-old student allegedly died by suicide in Sikar, Rajasthan, PTI reported, citing police. The deceased has been identified as Umesh Mali. This was the second such case in Sikar within a month. A resident of Jonguno area, who was preparing for the medical entrance examination while staying in a rented accommodation in the city, allegedly died by suicide on May 15.
Last week, a 20-year-old allegedly died by suicide in northwest Delhi’s Azadpur area, police said, according to PTI. No suicide note was found at the scene, and the deceased’s family moved the body to be burned without informing the police. Police said they were investigating the cause of her death.
Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides can be prevented. If you need support or know someone who does, please contact your nearest mental health professional.
Helplines: Al-Asra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha Foundation India: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact Numbers: 040-66202001, 040-66202000; One Life: Contact Number: 78930 78930, Seva: Contact Number: 09441778290
