A 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Coimbatore allegedly died by suicide on Wednesday after reportedly experiencing severe anxiety and mental distress following the cancellation of the NEET examination and the announcement of a re-test, according to a report by The Times of India.
The student, Anukeerthana, lived in Park Town, Kovaipudur. Her father, Senthil Prabhu, is the district secretary of the CITU-affiliated TASMAC trade union.
Anukeerthana had completed Class XII at a private school in Ettimadai with excellent marks and aspired to become a doctor to serve underprivileged communities. She had been preparing for NEET at a coaching centre in Coimbatore and had spent months studying for the examination.
According to the report, she was hopeful of securing admission to a medical college. However, the cancellation of the NEET exam over alleged irregularities and the subsequent announcement of a re-examination on June 21 reportedly left her deeply distressed.
On Wednesday morning, she allegedly sent an emotional WhatsApp message to her paternal uncle and other relatives, expressing fear about taking the examination again and guilt over the financial burden her father had borne for her education.
As quoted by The Times of India, the message read: "I had taken the NEET exam and was waiting to join medical college, but the exam was cancelled. Now, I am afraid to take the test again. My father has spent a lot of money on me; I do not know how I can ever look him in the face again."
After reading the message, relatives rushed to her home and reportedly found her unconscious inside her room after forcing open the door. She had allegedly consumed poison and was immediately taken to a private hospital, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit.
Despite receiving emergency treatment, Anukeerthana died later that afternoon. Her body was later sent to the Government ESI Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Kuniyamuthur police have registered a case, seized her mobile phone and launched an investigation into the incident.
Following her death, members of the CPI(M) district committee staged a protest at the ESI hospital campus, demanding the abolition of NEET. Protesters claimed that Anukeerthana had already qualified in NEET and secured a BDS seat but was preparing again in an effort to obtain admission to an MBBS programme.
According to the report, the family initially refused to accept the body and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The body was accepted later on Wednesday night after revenue officials held discussions with the family.
