NEET Suicide Victim’s Mother: Resignation is First Step Toward Our Fight Akanksha, a NEET aspirant from Nagpur, died by suicide following the paper leak controversy, which left her and other students in severe stress. Her mother, Neelam Chaturvedi, addressed a gathering of students at Samvidhan Square in Nagpur, stating that her daughter would not return unless the demands of the agitating students were fully met. “Resignation is the first step toward what we are fighting for. You all are my children. Continue the protest until all demands are met,” she said, emphasizing the need for systemic change. The protests gained momentum after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, a move that triggered celebrations among the students. By evening, the Centre accepted the remaining two demands of the agitating students, leading to the call-off of the protest. Neelam had previously expressed full support for the student agitation, demanding justice and compensation for families of all NEET suicide victims. Akanksha, the elder of two siblings, had been preparing for the NEET-UG exam when she died by suicide days after the announcement of a retest following the paper leak. In her suicide note, she wrote, “I no longer have the courage to appear for the NEET exam again.” Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, blamed the Union government for her death, highlighting the systemic pressures faced by students. The protests at Jantar Mantar saw fresh clashes after Pradhan’s resignation, with tear gas deployed and stones pelted by protesters. CJP’s Dipke urged continued resistance, stating, “We won’t go” until all demands were fulfilled.#dharmendra_pradhan #samvidhan_square #jantar_mantar #neet_aspirant #neelam_chaturvedi
