Abdul Naseer, Editor
The recent NEET exam results have raised eyebrows with 67 students securing the first rank, candidates from other states flocking to Godhra in Gujarat to take the exam, and grace marks being awarded due to time constraints. These anomalies have baffled students and parents alike. Despite NEET being a prestigious exam conducted by the NTA in India, issues of irregularities and paper leaks persist. In a significant move, the government has also canceled the upcoming UGC NET exam today, directly affecting the futures of 23 lakh NEET students and 9 lakh NET students. This situation highlights a major failure on the part of the Central Government, the Gujarat Government, and the Bihar Government. It is suspected that many such incidents may have occurred, warranting further investigation.
The BJP, which has consistently campaigned against cheating and paper leaks, faces a serious challenge. In the recent assembly elections, particularly in Rajasthan, the BJP had heavily emphasized its commitment to curbing cheating and paper leaks, promising strict laws upon forming the government. However, the current situation remains unchanged. The BJP-led Central Government, now in its third term, has yet to address this critical issue affecting the country’s students. The question arises: can the government be trusted to implement such laws after failing to do so in its previous tenures?
The most concerning aspect is how such a significant oversight occurred in the BJP’s home state. Currently, the BJP governs at the Center, in Gujarat, and supports the government in Bihar. If such an incident had occurred in an opposition-ruled state, it would have been widely publicized, with leaders voicing their opinions on the matter. Yet, despite the gravity of this situation, the Central Government, its ministers, and even the Prime Minister have remained silent.
Amid growing concerns since June 4, the anger of parents, student protests, and political pressure, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a press conference on Thursday evening. He acknowledged the irregularities in the examination system and announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate. Pradhan assured that strict action would be taken against any guilty officials, whether inside or outside the NTA. He also promised stringent measures for the NTA’s structure, exam conduct, and data security. Moreover, based on recommendations from the Home Department, the decision to cancel the NET exam was made after it was discovered that the paper had been found on the dark net.
Questions remain regarding the roles of the Central Government, State Governments, and the NTA in this debacle. Will the culprits be caught and punished? Will justice be served to the students? Will parents’ hard-earned money be accounted for? An impartial investigation into this entire episode is awaited, and these questions will linger until they are answered.
