Family members of Anitha, the Dalit girl who took NEET fight to Supreme Court, returns govt’s Rs7 Lakh cheque

Family members of 17-year-old Anitha, who killed herself after failing to get admission to a medical college, rejected government aid of seven lakh rupees.

“My sister, Anitha died to get exemption from NEET and not for any aid,” said Anitha’s borther Mani Ratnam.

The family turned away G Laxmi Priya, Ariyalur district collector, who visited the family to hand over a cheque.

Anitha, daughter of Dalit daily-wage labourer, who dreamt of being a doctor had scored excellent marks in class 12 exams and hoped of getting admission to a medical college. But the Supreme Court August order directed admissions in medical college in Tamil Nadu would only through NEET and not on the basis of class 12 marks.

Also Read: NEET Activist S Anitha's Suicide: Protests erupt in Tamil Nadu; political parties demand justice for medical aspirant

Soon after the orders, Anitha had pleaded before the Supreme Court that poor students like her who lived in villages can not afford private coaching like their counterparts who stay in cities and our rich. Extra coaching gives city student advantage in the competitive exams.

People in large numbers took to roads across the state soon after Anitha committed suicide.

Dalit girl who took NEET-fight to SC commits suicide: Tamil Nadu CM announces ex-gratia of Rs 7 lakh

For the last nine years the Tamil Nadu government had abolished the entrance exam, granting admission to medical courses based on Class 12 state board marks, stating that it allowed students from villages and low income group get an entry into medical colleges.