Tamil Nadu Assembly Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the arrest of rapper and activist Arivarasu Kalainesan, known as Therukkural Arivu, during his protest against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Kalainesan staged a demonstration outside the Tamil Nadu Secretariat in Chennai, calling on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to take a firmer stance against NEET.
In a surprising turn of events, Kalainesan was detained by the police during the protest but was later brought back to the Secretariat to meet the Chief Minister. During the meeting, he emphasized the need for the government to intensify efforts to abolish NEET and take a stronger political and legal position on the matter.
Udhayanidhi expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to detain Kalainesan before the meeting, considering it contradictory. He highlighted that the rapper’s protest resonated with the sentiments of many students, parents, and citizens opposing NEET, emphasizing the growing public demand for the examination’s abolition.
The Opposition leader noted the increasing momentum of protests against NEET nationwide, including demonstrations in New Delhi. He criticized the detention of Kalainesan, stating that it could deter young people in Tamil Nadu from engaging in democratic protests against NEET. Udhayanidhi also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the NEET system, labeling it a significant scam that needs to be addressed by the government through dialogue with protesters.
