Rahul Gandhi questions PM Modi’s ‘silence’ after SC withdraws NTA over NEET row

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘keeping silent’ during the NEET-UG 2024 exam. (Photo: Times Now/PTI)

After the Supreme Court reprimanded National Testing Agency over National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-UG 2024 (NEET) controversy, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was criticized for “keeping silent” on the issue.

Speaking to The arrests in Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana clearly indicate that there was planned and organized corruption in the exam process, with these BJP-ruled states becoming the epicenter of the paper leak. »

“In our manifesto, we ensure the protection of the future of the youth by enacting strict laws against paper leaks. Assuming our responsibility as the opposition, we are committed to raising the voices of young people across the country, from the streets to Parliament, and to pressuring the government to develop such strict policies,” added the Congress leader.

The apex court today heard a writ petition relating to the NEET UG controversy and advised the lawyer to list all the issues in the next hearing scheduled on July 8.

The Supreme Court said that students have prepared for exams and no one can forget their work. The petitioner’s lawyer demanded to know the status of the investigation, but Justice J Nath asked for enumeration of the case on July 8 and said the respondents NTA and the union can file a response in 2 weeks. The petitioner said the investigation should be recorded, but the court asked the lawyers to raise the issues in the next hearing, Live Law reported.

During the hearing, the SC told the NTA that it should admit if there was any mistake in NEET. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, insisted on prompt action by the NTA, stressing that the agency must ensure fair treatment to all applicants.

“As the agency that’s conducting the review, you have to act fairly. If there’s a mistake, say yes, it’s a mistake, and that’s the action we’re going to take. At a minimum, it inspires confidence in your performance.” SC told NTA.

“Imagine that a person who defrauded the system became a doctor; it is more harmful to society. The children are studying hard to pass the NEET level,” the court said.

What is the NEET controversy?

A huge row erupted after the NEET exam, taken by 2.4 million students on May 5, faced allegations of paper leaks soon after the results were declared on June 4. As many as 67 students had secured perfect marks of 720/720 and grace marks. had been granted to some students, allegedly to compensate for time lost at exam centers.

The NTA had informed the Supreme Court last week that pardons granted to 1,563 NEET-UG exam candidates would be canceled and these candidates would be given the opportunity to retake the exam on June 23. The results of this new test must be declared before June 30. If a test taker withdraws from the retest, their original scores, less any additional scores, will be reinstated.