Ariyalur: A 17-year-old Dalit girl who had moved the Supreme Court against NEET-based medical examinations allegedly committed suicide on Friday.
Anitha was reportedly upset after it became known that Tamil Nadu will not be exempted from the ambit of National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET).
Daughter of a daily wage earner, Anitha dreamed of becoming a doctor.
She was found hanging at her house in a village in this district, police said.
The Dalit girl had approached the apex court last month opposing a plea seeking admissions to under graduate medical courses only on the basis of the NEET score.
The police said they were investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, the residents held a ‘road roko’ in the village, slamming the AIADMK-led state government for the death of the girl.
“District police superintendent, district collector and other senior officials are present on the spot for coordinating the legalities post the death of the girl,” a police official said.
The body has been taken to a government hospital for autopsy, he said.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar told reporters that he was deeply pained by the death of the girl.
Education Minister C Sengottaiyan expressed grief and anguish and said steps were being taken to prepare students for any competitive exam. He said such instances must never be repeated.
DMK working president M K Stalin expressed concern over the death of the girl and called the government “inept”.
Various political parties have been cornering the state government for its failure to get exemption from the NEET.
Actor Rajinikanth also condoled the death of the teenage girl.
“What has happened to Anitha is extremely unfortunate. My heart goes out to all the pain and agony she would have undergone before taking the drastic step. My condolences to her family,” he said in a tweet.
