Chennai: Hundreds of people, mostly students and young professionals, didn’t return home straight from campuses and workplaces. Instead, they headed to Balan Illam, the CPI state headquarters in T Nagar, to announce their solidarity with the protesters in Delhi demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan for NEET irregularities.Some came in medical scrubs, many others in T-shirts and baggy jeans, and a few had bandanas. Those in formal wear removed their ID cards at the entrance before joining the swelling crowd. By 7pm, the place was jam-packed. Bikes parked on either side of the road outside shrunk the carriageway by half. Placards read: ‘Abolish NEET’, ‘Accountability Missing’.What began on Monday night by Cockroach Janata Party TN wing along with All India Students Federation members as an indefinite protest turned into a lively gathering of all hues on Tuesday night. “Seeing social media posts and news channels, many people started coming after 11 pm. Till 2am, people were still coming in,” said a police officer. Through the night, protestors sang, shared personal accounts about NEET, and some did stand-up comedy.“When people are dying due to NEET re-exam, our ‘bro’ was busy listening to a melody,” said a protester on stage. Crowds erupted. Instagram reels followed.“Tamil Nadu has always stood against NEET. It is only now that people in Delhi have taken a stand. The education minister should resign. Abolishing NEET should be the next step,” said M Sibi, a protester.Behind him, an organiser spoke into the mic: “Cockroaches, please sit down,” as more people walked into the venue. “The things that happened in Delhi affected me. I couldn’t go to Delhi, so I am here,” said K S Balan, who works as an assistant director of films. “I have been here since Tuesday night. I went to work and returned here,” he said.Sarmistha R, a second-year psychology student, was among those affected by NEET. “I took a two-year break to prepare for NEET, but I couldn’t make it,” she said. “I don’t have any political affiliation. I am here to protest against corruption. I am here for democracy,” she said.Divya Darshini, a volunteer helping CJP organise the protest, said her wedding is on July 26. “I have to arrange the hall and caterers. But this is more important,” she said. Representatives of various parties showed up and distributed placards. Several people sent food and refreshments through online delivery services, including water bottles, buttermilk, juices, biscuits and fruits.About 200 students of IIT Madras also protested on their campus. They ended the gathering with a lighting of candles in remembrance of the 22 students who lost their lives to suicide.
