The 35-year-old man, identified as M Periyasamy, was a daily wage laborer. His son, M Vignesh, 18, had taken the NEET exam this year but did not clear it. On Sunday, Vignesh was found dead in his room on Sunday, with a rope around his neck.
Periyasamy was reportedly very upset by his son's death and could not come to terms with it. On Monday, he went to a nearby bridge and jumped into the river. The police later found his body.
This is the second case of a parent committing suicide after their child's death due to NEET-related stress in Tamil Nadu in recent weeks. In June, a woman in Madurai district hanged herself after her daughter failed to clear the exam.
The high pressure and stress of NEET have been a major concern for students and parents in India. The exam is seen as a gateway to medical school and is extremely competitive. Many students take coaching classes for years in preparation for the exam, and the stakes are high for both students and their families.
The pressure to succeed in NEET can be overwhelming for some students, and it has led to a number of suicides in recent years. In 2021, at least 12 students committed suicide in India after failing to clear NEET.
The government has taken some steps to address the issue of NEET-related stress, such as reducing the syllabus and making the exam optional for students from rural areas. However, more needs to be done to reduce the pressure on students and to create a more supportive environment for them.
The deaths of Periyasamy and Vignesh are a tragic reminder of the high stakes involved in the NEET exam and the need for more support for students and parents. The government and other stakeholders must work together to find ways to reduce the pressure on students and to create a more supportive environment for them.
