Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi convened a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of seven states on Wednesday to discuss various issues like the scheduling of the JEE Main and NEET exams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand CM Hemant Kumar Soren, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, CM V. Narayanasamy of Puducherry, CM Bhupesh Baghel of Chattisgarh and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the course of the virtual meet suggested that all state governments must join hands and approach the Supreme Court to ensure the postponement of the JEE and NEET exams to be held in September.

“This will be my request to all state governments, let us do it together, let us go to Supreme Court and postpone the exam for the time being until and unless the situation allows students to sit for exam (JEE/NEET),” Banerjee was quoted as saying by ANI.

“The exams are in September. Why should the lives of students be put at risk? We have written to the PM, but there has been no response,” the Trinamool Congress leader added, as per ANI.

Speaking on the issue Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray cited a report from the United States saying that 97,000 children had been infected since the reopening of schools. As per news agency ANI, the Shiv Sena chief said, “There was a report from the US that about 97,000 children were infected by COVID-19 when schools were opened. What will we do if such a situation arises here?”

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh addressing the meet conducted by the Congress interim chief said, “All of us who are sitting here should go to the Supreme Court.”

However, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, while addressing the JEE Main and NEET exam issue, said “I think we should go to Prime Minister or President before approaching the Supreme Court.”

Similarly, Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy raised his concern stating, “Conducting of examinations will lead to a rise in a number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Govt of India will be responsible for it. We will jointly fight the battle against the Central government on this issue.”

The JEE Main Exams are scheduled to be conducted between September 1 and 6 while the JEE Advanced will be held on September 27. The NEET exam is to be conducted on September 13. The exams were initially scheduled for the month of April, however, the coronavirus induced lockdown prevented it from being held.