Protests, social media furore over UGC-NET and NEET controversies

Activists of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest outside the residence of union minister for education Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday against the recent controversies involving paper leaks of NEET and UGC-NET exams.

Activists gathered in front of the residence of Pradhan and showed papers in a car to stage their protest only to be detained by the police later.

Arjun Chopra, National Secretary, NSUI alleged that there is involvement of government officials in the leaks of NEET and UGC-NET papers. He also sought that the National Testing Agency which conducts these exams be banned. “Soon, we are going to do a parliament gherao seeking a ban on NTA because of its inefficiency,” he said.

Ajay Kamath, State Secretary (Karnataka) AIDSO in a statement said, “Massive irregularities and widespread corruption marred two of the most important examinations for which millions of students and aspirants spend months even years of their youth.

“Not only that, but the rot is also spread to an extent where, in the pretext of “transparency and sanctity of the examination process”, the examination had to be cancelled just a day after its conduction and the charge of investigation was summarily handed over to CBI! NTA only leads to the monopolisation of corruption instead of solving it. The counseling of the NEET must be withheld till the investigations are complete. We demand that the date of re-test of the UGC-NET be announced immediately, and it must be conducted by UGC itself,” Kamath added.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the issue of paper leaks would be raised in the parliament. Slamming the central government over recent paper leaks, Rahul Gandhi said that the opposition which is now stronger than ever would take this issue up for debate in the parliament.

“When I went on my Bharat Jodo Yatra from Manipur to Maharashtra, students told me that paper leaks are one of the biggest issues in the country. This year NEET and UGC-NET papers were leaked, and one has been cancelled. Such incidents are a risk for the future of students”, he added.