The main fallout of the >Supreme Court verdict quashing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test is that merit will yet again be devalued and private medical colleges given the liberty to conduct admissions according to their whims. NEET envisioned a unified syllabus across the country, which would have become possible in a few years.
It is well known that students aspiring to study medicine write multiple entrance exams, which include the State examinations, All-India pre-medical, pre-dental, and others like AIIMS, JIPMER, CMC Vellore, etc., with the dates of examinations clashing frequently.
NEET would have helped in reducing the stress involved in preparing for different examinations.
C.Y. Ranjini,
Bangalore
The verdict has disappointed many aspiring students who were looking forward to a single window for access to medical education. Medical seats are limited in every State. I lost admission to the medical course due to the limited seats in Kerala.
Meera Vijaya Raj,
Thiruvananthapuram
The article “A hatchet job, NEETly done” (July 20) has rightly pointed out that the Supreme Court verdict favours the rights of educators over the rights of those who seek education. As one belonging to a minority community, I can say with conviction that this right has been abused in a significant way to provide a platform for wealthy businessmen of all communities to profit from education.
Minority communities certainly do not need exclusive institutions with reservation for themselves. This is particularly so when many classes of minorities have reserved admissions in government colleges and equal opportunities in private institutions.
George Paul,
Salem
