A 19 year-old medical aspirant died of alleged suicide here on Saturday, apparently 'apprehensive' over the National Entrance cum

A 19 year-old medical aspirant died of alleged suicide here on Saturday, apparently 'apprehensive' over the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET), police said.

The victim, identified as Jothisri Durga, was found hanging at her residence and a purported suicide note left behind by her said she was 'apprehensive' though others had high 'hopes' on her, they said.

Suicide

The death, which comes days after another medical aspirant in Ariyalur in the state allegedly committed suicide, drew sharp responses from Tamil Nadu political parties opposed to NEET, even as Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam of the ruling AIADMK expressed shock over the incident.

DMK President M K Stalin said NEET "is not an exam at all."

In a tweet, Panneerselvam expressed grief over such incidents concerning the students, who are the "pillars of future."

O Panneerselvam"Students should learn to face any situation with guts and parents should aid them in this," he said.

Stalin expressed shock over the suicide but said killing oneself was not the solution.

"We can realise from the death of Anitha (a medical aspirant who died of suicide in 2017) to Jothisri Durga that NEET is severely affecting students," he said in a tweet.

NEET

"I repeat, suicide is not a solution; NEET is not an exam at all. #BanNeet_SaveTNStudents," he added.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a batch of pleas seeking deferment or cancellation of NEET scheduled for Sunday.