Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced his concerns over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) that have reportedly affected nearly 24 lakh students. He has pledged to represent the students’ interests in Parliament and fight for their future.
In the party’s manifesto, the Congress had promised to protect students from paper leaks by enacting a law. “Today, I assure all the students of the country that I will become your voice in Parliament and strongly raise the issues related to your future,” Gandhi stated.
The controversy erupted after 67 candidates shared the first rank in the NEET-UG exam, including eight from the same centre in Haryana. The Congress has alleged manipulations, inflation of marks and paper leaks.
Gandhi pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet taken his oath and already the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam have caused distress to more than 24 lakh students and their families.
Gandhi also noted that it is technically impossible for six students from a single exam centre to top the exam with maximum marks. He alleged that a ‘paper leak industry’ is operating in collusion with the education mafia and the government machinery. The Congress, he said, has developed a robust plan to tackle this issue.
However, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), has dismissed the allegations of irregularities and paper leaks. The agency has formed a high-level panel to investigate the charges of inflated grace marks.
Gandhi’s remarks came a day after the Congress Working Committee passed a resolution urging him to take up the post of Leader of the Opposition. While expressing his respect for the sentiments of the CWC members, Gandhi stated that he would make a decision on the matter “very soon”. He has not yet made a formal announcement regarding his decision.
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