Congress to hold nationwide protests over JEE, NEET today

Congress is set to hold nationwide protests on Friday, against the government’s decision to move forward with JEE (Main) and NEET, which are scheduled to be held in September. In a statement on Wednesday, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President KC Venugopal called out the central government. He also  termed the government as “insensitive and mindless” for conducting the exams “in the middle of the ever-burgeoning COVID-19 crisis”.  

The Joint Entrance Examination for admission to engineering courses is scheduled to be held from September 1 to 6. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical courses, is scheduled on September 13.

In his letter, Venugopal raised the issue of risks involved in students sitting for the exams. He also cited the disruption of transport services that will make it difficult for students to reach the centres.

He further wrote on the flood situation prevailing in Assam and Bihar, that will “further put students of those states at a severe disadvantage”.

The protests will be held in front of the central government offices, at state and district headquarters. As per the party, social distancing guidelines will be followed during the protests.

The party will also organise an online campaign, #SpeakUpForStudentSafety, on Friday from 10:00 am onwards.

Several politicians and activists have opposed the decision to conduct the exams in the middle of a global pandemic.

With over 3.3 million cases and over 60,000 deaths, India is the third-worst hit nation by the novel coronavirus.