"With the fear of life due to COVID-19 scare, the courts that dispense justice via video-conferencing order students to go and take exams without fear." These are the words of actor Suriya, whose open letter against the conducting of NEET has gone viral on the Internet.

The above remarks, however, have landed the 'Bandobast' actor in a major controversy. Taking cognizance of the letter, a judge of the High Court of Madras has accused the Kollywood hero of contempt of court.

Justice SM Balasubramaniam, the judge, is of the opinion that Suriya's statement undermines the "integrity and devotion of the Hon'ble Judges as well as the judicial system of our great nation," thereby "threatening the public confidence in the judiciary".

As such, the judge has urged the Chief Justice of Madras HC to initiate contempt proceedings against Suriya. Suriya's letter comes in the context of four NEET aspirants of Tamil Nadu dying by suicide days before the entrance exam. He has also described NEET as a 'Manu Dharma' test, whatever that means.

The actor awaits the release of 'Aakasam Nee Haddu Raa' ('Soorarai Pottru' in Tamil) on October 30, on an OTT platform.