TIRUNELVELI: A coaching centre in Tirunelveli has become the epicentre of controversy following shocking footage of its owner, Jalal Ahmad Vettiyadan, brutally assaulting students with a cane and shoes. The incident has ignited widespread outrage among the student community and calls for immediate action, including the closure of the institution.
In recent years, the surge in coaching centres catering to aspiring medical students has exploited the intense pressure to succeed in entrance examinations like NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). While many of these centres provide quality education, a troubling trend of harsh disciplinary measures has emerged in some. Jalaludeen’s coaching centre, which he founded two years ago, has garnered attention for its aggressive approach to student management.
Despite advertising that twelve students from his centre secured medical seats this year, the reality for many students is far from the promotional claims. With fees ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000, the centre attracts students from across southern Tamil Nadu, including Krishnagiri, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Nagercoil. The rigorous daily schedule extends from 8 AM to 8 PM, with students enduring long hours of tests and mock examinations to prepare for NEET.
நீட் தேர்வு மையத்தில் மாணவ – மாணவிகள் சித்ரவதை..!
ஜலாலுதீன் அஹமத் வெட்டியாடன் என்பவர் நெல்லையை தலைமை இடமாகக் கொண்டு “ஜல்” என்ற நீட் பயிற்சி மையத்தை நடத்தி வருகிறார்.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி, புதுக்கோட்டை, தஞ்சாவூர், மதுரை, நாகர்கோவில் போன்ற இடங்களிலும் “ஜல்“ நீட் பயிற்சி மையங்கள்… pic.twitter.com/9FJR8kihtX
— Chinnappa Ganesan (@directorganesan) October 18, 2024
The recent incident unfolded during an examination when students were caught sleeping in the classroom during breaks. After reviewing CCTV footage, Jalal confronted the students and retaliated with violence, caning them severely, leaving several with visible bruises and bleeding marks. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with the owner throwing students’ shoes at them after they had left them scattered outside the classroom.
Following the incident, the injured students reported the assault to the Melapalayam police, who registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Jalaludeen. Local child protection and welfare officials have also launched an investigation into the matter. Furthermore, a member of the state Human Rights Commission, Kannadasan, conducted an inquiry at the coaching centre to assess the situation firsthand.
This incident has drawn comparisons to the troubling rise of student suicides in Kota, Rajasthan, highlighting the dire mental health crisis faced by students in high-pressure educational environments. With political implications, the event is expected to amplify demands from Dravidian parties and allies of the DMK, who have long sought the abolition of NEET and have previously raised concerns over the conditions in coaching centres.
Critics argue that the incident is emblematic of a larger systemic issue within the coaching industry, where profit motives often overshadow student welfare. Parents and students are now urged to reconsider enrolling in such institutions, weighing the risks against the promise of success. The cultural dynamics surrounding this incident are further complicated by Jalaludeen’s minority community background, which some fear may lead to attempts to downplay or obscure the severity of the situation.
As the investigation unfolds, the demand for accountability grows louder. Many are calling for the immediate closure of the coaching centre, insisting that no student should have to endure such treatment in pursuit of their educational goals. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the pressures faced by aspiring medical students and the urgent need for reforms within the coaching sector to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.
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