The Doctors’ Association for Social Equality on Wednesday criticised Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar’s reported anti-abortion remarks, saying they undermined women’s reproductive rights and urging him to refrain from making such statements.

At a press meet in Chennai, the association opposed the State government’s resolution seeking the nationwide abolition of NEET, saying Tamil Nadu should instead seek a permanent exemption for undergraduate, postgraduate and super-speciality medical seats under its control. It said abolition could benefit private medical colleges and deemed universities and increase the burden on poor and middle-class students.

The association disputed the Health Minister’s arguments on NEET and rural healthcare, noting that over 1,000 NEET-qualified doctors were serving in rural Primary Health Centres.

It said NEET was not the sole reason for the lower representation of disadvantaged students in medical education and sought an expert committee to examine the issue. It also demanded an increase in educational assistance for students admitted under the 7.5% government-school quota.

Other demands included implementing the children’s gold-ring scheme through the Revenue or Social Welfare Department instead of doctors; dropping attempts to appoint IAS officers to senior medical posts; retaining the Deputy Director of Tuberculosis post; implementing reservation in contractual appointments; and withdrawing what it termed retaliatory action against Dr. Perumal Pillai, leader of the Government Doctors’ Legal Battle Committee.