As the hunger strike demanding the scrapping of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) entered its tenth consecutive day on Monday, the protesters at Thiruvalluvar Illam in Koyambedu, urged the State government to pass a Bill exempting the State from the exam.S.A. Manirathnam, brother of S. Anitha, an MBBS aspirant who ended her life, said: “The State government must stand by us and protest against the Centre and its ideological enemy the BJP. The government must do whatever it can to instil confidence and ensure that the NEET examination is scrapped.”This protest followed the popular protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party.Four persons are on hunger strike demanding the abolishment of NEET. “Our protest began in 2017. It has not stopped. Delhi’s protest was only a turning point. This protest continues. We will not stop until the exam is banned, and the State government passes a Bill on the same,” said Puliyanthope Mohan, an advocate who is on hunger strike.It has been four days since School Education Minister Rajmohan assured the protesters of the government’s support. But they have not seen anything of substance yet. “The cases against the NEET protesters remain. The promise of a Bill to be passed in the Assembly hasn’t materialised, and the demand for a place to continue our protest is being denied continuously. These must be addressed,” a protester added.(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.) Published - August 11, 2026 12:40 am IST