Chennai: Thousands of students, youth and activists from various social movements, besides leaders including DMK working president M.K. Stalin paid homage to Ariyalur student Anitha, as mixed emotions of grief and anger rent the air at Kuzhumur village.
Shops across entire Ariyalur district and neighbouring Perambalur, remained shut expressing grief for the suicide of the poor Dalit girl.
Students and youth who paid homage to Anitha raised slogans against the central and state governments, besides scrapping of Neet.
AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani were among the leaders who paid homage to Anitha.
Veeramani, who spoke to the media, said Neet was a conspiracy to prevent rural students from becoming doctors. He also accused the state government of compromising the state's education policy to remain in power. Thirumavalan said Anitha had declared a war on the central and state governments through her suicide.
The people of the village, besides the relatives of Anitha had gathered in her house. Her friends were seen furious over the imposition of Neet and asked the examination had prevented poor students from entering medical colleges. "Are medical seats reserved for the rich and affluent? Should poor students forget their dreams of becoming a doctor?" one of her classmates asked.
Hundreds of police had been deployed throughout the district and most of the youth and students were stopped from entering Ariyalur to prevent untoward incidents during the funeral.
