Coaching centres in Kota asked to halt routine tests of NEET, JEE aspirants as suicide cases rise
Kota (Rajasthan) (PTI): Authorities in Rajasthan's Kota district have asked coaching institutes to stop conducting routine tests of students preparing for NEET and other competitive exams for the next two months in the wake of suicides by a number of aspirants.
Over two lakh students move to Kota annually to prepare for competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges.
According to authorities, 22 students preparing for competitive exams in the district have ended their lives so far in 2023 -- the highest for any year. Last year, the figure was 15.
Two students ended their lives on Sunday, in a span of four hours.
Avishkar Shambaji Kasle (17) jumped off the sixth floor of his coaching institute's building in Jawahar Nagar at around 3.15 pm, minutes after walking out of a room after taking a mock NEET test, police said.
Adarsh Raj (18), who was also preparing for the competitive exam, hanged himself in his rented flat in the Kunhadi police station area at around 7 pm, they said.
The reason behind the two latest suicides is that the aspirants were apparently under pressure for scoring low marks during routine tests conducted by the coaching centres.
Kota district collector O P Bunkar, in an order issued Sunday night, asked the coaching institutes to stop holding routine tests for the next two months.
He said the directions were passed to provide "mental support" to students.
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Balasaheb would have broken his mouth: Eknath Shinde on Arvind Sawant's 'imported maal' remark
Thane: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has strongly criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant for his comment referring to Shaina NC as "imported maal." Shinde asserted that if Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray were alive, he "would have broken his mouth" for making such a remark. Calling Sawant's statement "unfortunate," Shinde condemned the disrespect toward women, saying, "Speaking ill of a woman is highly condemnable, and no amount of criticism is enough."
Shinde expressed that the women of Maharashtra would ensure Sawant faces consequences in the upcoming elections, highlighting that such remarks reveal the character of those making them. Following Shaina NC’s complaint, a case has been registered at Nagpada Police Station, listing charges related to defamation and outraging the modesty of a woman.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also criticised Sawant’s remarks, affirming that derogatory comments against women have no place in society and contradict Maharashtra's values of respect and dignity.
In response, Sawant clarified that he did not directly mention Shaina’s name and claimed his remarks were misinterpreted. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with vote counting on November 23.
