On the one side where Cockroach party and its supporters are protesting against the NEET exam paper leak, on the other side, in Tamil Nadu, Dravidianists wnt one step further and protested for banning the examination altogether.
Speaking at the protest conducted on 23 July 2026, Dravidianist supporter and DMK stooge film director Pa Ranjith attacked TN CM Joseph Vijay in the process – for NEET as well as on the topic of Dalit ministers in his cabinet.
He said, “I acknowledge that the BJP engages in suppression, but why should the Tamil Nadu government do the same? The BJP beats up students because, fundamentally, it is a party opposed to equality, a party that has fostered fascism. You, however, are opposed to fascism; you are a party that seeks to create constructive change and make Tamil Nadu a pioneering state. Why do you beat protesting students? Who gave you that right? Are you such cowards that you beat them without even wearing your police badges? I ask you: are you cowards who strike without displaying your badges? If you have decided to use force, then go ahead and strike; we are ready to face it. You appointed eight Dalit ministers, fine, but have those eight ministers ever spoken about Dalit issues? It has been nearly two months now. Apart from Comrade Vanniyarasu, have the other seven Dalit ministers ever spoken about Dalit issues? Take Minister Rajmohan, for instance; neither we nor the public knew he was a Dalit until he contested from the Egmore constituency. He had never raised his voice for Dalit issues while working as an activist or YouTuber. Did he ever speak up for Dalits at any point? He did post a few videos regarding the Armstrong murder case, but otherwise, he has never stood up for Dalit causes. We don’t really understand whether he became a minister or not, that is a matter for your party to handle; go ahead and make him a minister if you wish. You might claim he represents the Dalit community, but that alone does not constitute real change. However, look at Comrade Vanniyarasu, once he gained power, he actually managed to get things done. We truly appreciate that. I do not deny that Comrade Vanniyarasu and I have significant differences of opinion. Yet, I have been impressed by his actions. I am genuinely happy for him and feel duty-bound to commend him on this platform. But what have the other seven Dalit ministers done? In Salem district, an Ambedkar statue, depicting him seated with one leg crossed over the other, remains unopened. Why hasn’t it been unveiled? Fifteen people were beaten and remanded in custody, and brutal charges, including attempted murder, were filed against them. We visited the site under Udaya leadership to raise the issue, yet there has been no response to this day. All we are asking is for the government to officially unveil the Ambedkar statue; it remains unopened solely because of the pose, Ambedkar sitting with one leg crossed over the other, even though permission was granted six years ago. Isn’t Babasaheb Ambedkar your ideological leader? If he is your ideological leader, why shouldn’t his statue be unveiled? You could go and unveil it yourselves. People view your ideological leader through the lens of caste; they even cover the statue with large metal sheets. Shouldn’t that make you angry? Yet, you feel no anger. Did those 7 Dalit ministers get angry? So now we say those 7 Dalit ministers are not our representatives.”
He added, “We are the ones fighting on the ground. You have just assumed office; it is fair to take a ‘grace period’, go ahead and take it. Take as much time as you need. What we are asking is this: come, and under your leadership, let us inaugurate the Ambedkar statue in Salem district as a grand government function. Please release the 15 innocent people who were arrested. Drop the murder charges filed against them and set them free. Is there any chance of that happening? No.
Because this government does not function as a government of ministers; it operates as a government of bureaucrats. Officials are acting with extreme aggression, adhering to the same old, traditional style. When a caste-related issue arises, the standard practice is to detain individuals from both sides, it is baffling. How long will this continue? Whom are we waiting for? For whom do we keep casting our votes?”
He then said, “When we see so many comrades from the SFI and progressive student movements getting beaten up, we wonder: hasn’t the Chief Minister actually seen these videos? Why hasn’t he watched them? Why resort to using police personnel to suppress them? After all, you are an opponent of NEET; you oppose it. You have a policy-level plan to abolish NEET.
So, why not designate a space yourself? Give us a large venue. Let the students protest. Let them protest peacefully. Please lend an ear to the students’ voices. This is the most important demand we are making regarding this issue: the government should designate a specific place for students to protest. If such a space is provided, we will join the struggle alongside you. Together, we can completely abolish NEET, a goal we have both dreamed of. Come, Chief Minister; we can sort out the necessary permissions. This is our primary demand. Regarding the student protests, members of the CJP organization have been protesting at the Communist office (Balan Illam) for about four or five days now. Yesterday, there was a large crowd; many young people, fresh faces were singing songs and developing the protest beautifully, conveying important messages to the public. We can see so many young people participating in this peaceful struggle. Why must protests be confined to a restricted area? Why is the Marina Beach sealed off today? I simply do not understand. Our wish is for you to be a Chief Minister who stands with the people – a Chief Minister who stands with the students. We view it as crucial that you take the lead in completely abolishing NEET, a cause you desired, by joining us in the struggle. Furthermore, I observe a recurring pattern: whenever those in power assume office, they immediately resort to certain behaviors. The previous government, too, made whatever compromises were necessary to retain power once they had secured it; the same is happening here. Tell me, what is the reason for not unveiling the statue of Dr. Ambedkar immediately upon assuming office? It is simply this: they are afraid of casteist elements. They fear that if they go ahead and unveil it, a rival caste group will criticize them or create trouble, or ultimately that they will lose votes in the upcoming local body elections and consequently lose power. So, my question is this: are you implying that such compromises based on caste, religion, class, or economics are essential for you to retain power, and that you will operate only by making such compromises? So, regarding this issue, you must heed our struggle, the students’ struggle, and help find a decisive, vigorous, and peaceful way to resolve this NEET crisis; you need to designate a safe venue where we can conduct this protest. At the same time, your opposition to NEET must not remain merely a matter of words or writing; you must join us in the actual fight so that we can achieve victory together.”
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