The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that no protests are held against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in the state. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India, Deepak Misra, said that anyone protesting against the NEET is liable to be charged with contempt of court.
The apex court directed the chief secretary of the state that those involved in any kind of protest should be cracked down.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by senior Supreme Court lawyer, GS Mani, seeking judicial involvement into the matter. The next hearing would be held on 18 September. The court has instructed Tamil Nadu’s Advocate General to remain present at the proceeding.
This comes in wake of the ongoing protest in the state, following the suicide of 17-year-old girl S Anitha, who failed to clear the NEET.
Anitha had scored 1176 out of 1200 marks in Class 12th and was not able to afford the classes for NEET preparations.
She was one of the six students who was being represented in the apex court by senior advocate Nalini Chidambaram, challenging the implementation of NEET in Tamil Nadu.
Following her suicide, students groups, along with political parties protested against the state and central governments over the implementation of NEET. State’s prime opposition, DMK, said the government led by AIADMK should issue a public apology for its failure to safeguard the interests of the state.
