Hyderabad: As the ongoing concerns about the NEET UG exam escalate with the Bihar and Gujarat police making several arrests alleging paper leaks, all student associations in Hyderabad have decided to hold a student march from Narayanguda to Liberty Ambedkar Statue on June 18 at 10 am.
The police officials have arrested members of an organised gang in Patna who allegedly leaked the question paper just a day before the exam. Similarly, five people have been arrested from Godhra in Gujarat for the alleged paper leak, which took place with the connivance of the deputy superintendent at the centre in Parvadi village in Godhra.
With this, students are in despair and demand an inquiry into the matter by a sitting judge along with an apology letter from the Prime Minister. Student Unions call for a student march with about 5000 students demanding the cancellation of the NEET 2024 exam.
"These are serious concerns about the integrity of the NEET UG 2024 examination results, with the allegations of paper leaks. Given the implications for the future of millions of aspirants and public health, it's crucial for the government to take swift and decisive action. A thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the truth and ensure justice for all aspirants as per the law. It's important to address these issues transparently and uphold the credibility of such critical examinations," said Navadeep Ashwini, Secretary, TG, IMA MSN.
Just a few days ago the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition for the reconduct of the exam on account of a paper leak, issued a notice to National Testing Agency and said that the 'sanctity' of the exam has been breached. The investigation into both the Patna and Godhra cases has revealed that the gang members had 'settings' with the personnel at the respective centres. "What we had said earlier about internal members being involved has come true," said Advocate J Nedumpura Mathews, appearing for about 85 students from across the country in the Supreme Court. "We had said that it is a mafia working at a much larger level and affects a large number of students. Now the paper leaks being confirmed by the police, we would want the court to order a comprehensive, CBI-level inquiry into the matter and put a stay on the counselling for seat allocation," he added.
With the scale of the exam and the number of issues being raised about it, medical teachers and students see re-exam as the only solution. Swathi Chunarkar, who appeared from a centre in Asifabad where students allegedly received a different question paper than others, says the re-exam will help students like her. "Our marks were brought down to 500 due to a different paper being given us. With a re-exam, we have a chance to do better," she said.
Dr Kiran Madhala, Telangana General Secretary, the Teaching Government Doctors' Association, said that it is a black spot in the history of NEET. "When a uniform exam gets leaked anywhere in the country, the sanctity of it is already breached. You have no option but to reconduct it. The paper leak has affected the lives of 23 lakh students. Conducting the exam again will not be easy. Instead of conducting it on a single day for the entire country, it should take place in a phased manner. The responsibility of the exam should now be shifted from the NTA. Earlier, doctors were responsible for monitoring the exam centres a day before the exam. We should bring in that model again," he said. He mentioned that it is possible that the whole process might get delayed by at least two months.
The Union education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan assured the students of serious action against senior officials of NTA if found complicit and guilty.
KTR writes an open letter to the Union government
In an open letter to the NDA government, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has criticised the handling of the NEET exam and condemned the central government for its inaction despite reports that NEET question papers were being sold in Bihar for up to 30 lakhs each, with several arrests already made.
He pointed out that despite numerous allegations around the NEET exam, the Modi government has not yet responded, which is unacceptable. He questioned why the Prime Minister, who frequently holds discussions with students about exams, has remained silent on the critical issue of NEET.
KTR demanded a thorough investigation into the entire matter and insisted that MPs from the state put pressure on the NDA government. He emphasised that the issue is not limited to NEET but affects several competitive exams conducted under the NTA's supervision, which could lead to a loss of trust among students.