Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against DMK's Anti-NEET Campaign; Says Students Are Well Informed & Won't Be Affected

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 2) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today, which was filed assailing the signature campaign statedly being organized by Tamil Nadu State ruling party Dravida Munnetra Khazagam (DMK) against National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) exams. “We have heard the petitioner in person at a considerable length. We are of the considered opinion that this is not a fit case to invoke the jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. We therefore decline to entertain this wit petition,” stated the bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan. During the hearing, on petitioner's claim that students may end up distressed as a result of the campaign, as they may tomorrow have to face NEET exams, Justice Kant said: “fortunately now we have a very informed generation…our children are not so innocent… they are far ahead of our generation, so they understand everything…that what is the motive, what is the agenda…”The Bench added that NEET, a competitive examination, has to be held on pan-India basis and will not be affected by the campaign. The PIL, filed by Advocate ML Ravi, averred that DMK was organizing the signature campaign in schools, despite the NEET exams having been allowed by the Supreme Court. It alleged that in course of the campaign, school students were being tutored against NEET exams and made to put their signatures. Further, the exercise was stated to be taking place without permission from students' parents. It was further claimed that under Article 19 of the Constitution, any citizen or political party may protest and has freedom of expression, but such right cannot be advanced at schools and with students who do not even having voting rights. Such political activity should not be allowed within school campuses, the PIL said. It also stated that the signature campaign could distress students who have to face NEET exams, and the DMK, being the ruling party, should not be given undue advantage of entering school campuses to get students to sign against NEET. In addition, the petition mentioned that the signature campaign had the effect of roping in school students into a political activity.Case Title: ML Ravi v. The Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu and Anr.Click Here To Read/Download Order

Supreme Court Rejects Plea Against DMK's Anti-NEET Campaign; Says Students Are Well Informed & Won't Be Affected

Debby Jain

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