Some students could not reach the NEET re-test center on time due to traffic jam during the Congress rally in Bengaluru. BJP and Congress are at loggerheads over the incident.
NEET Re-Test: Heavy traffic jam caused by a Congress rally in Karnataka capital Bengaluru added to the troubles of many students and their families going to appear for NEET UG re-test. It is alleged that due to traffic jam at least 3 students could not reach the examination center on time and did not get a chance to appear in the examination. After this, this matter has become a subject of political debate and BJP and Congress are blaming each other.
Lakhs of students appeared in NEET re-test
Nearly 22 lakh students across the country appeared for the NEET UG re-test, more than a month after the previously held NEET exam was canceled following paper leak allegations. The exam started at 2 pm, while students were instructed to report before the scheduled time. However, due to traffic jam conditions in many areas in Bengaluru, a large number of students and parents were seen struggling to reach the examination center on time.
Difficulty in reaching the examination center due to traffic jam
Before the commencement of the examination, huge crowds and long queues of vehicles were seen on many roads of the city. Seeing time running out, many parents started looking for alternative ways to send their children to the examination centre. Some people were seen trying to squeeze between the queues of cars on two-wheelers, while some parents were forced to use the footpath. Despite this, some students could not reach the center on time.
Students who arrived late did not get entry
According to reports, at least three students reached the examination center after the scheduled time. By then the admission process had closed. Frustrated students kept trying to somehow reach inside the examination centre. Some even reached the main gate and requested the officials, but as per the rules, they were not allowed to appear in the examination. This caused great disappointment among the students and their families.
Parents held Congress rally responsible
After the incident, many parents blamed the Congress rally for the traffic jam. He said that such a big political program should not have been organized on the day of an important national examination. Some parents expressed anger at Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka government leaders. There were also reports of many students becoming emotional and crying as it was an important occasion for them to get admission in medical college.
Parents expressed their problems
Krishna Murthy, father of a student, said that on normal days the journey of about 7 kilometers is completed in 20 minutes, but due to the rally and traffic jam it took him more than 35 minutes. He said that as a parent he was extremely concerned. The situation became so serious that they were forced to use the footpath. He believes that big political events should be organized in the outer areas of the city rather than in the inner areas. Another parent raised the question that when Rahul Gandhi raises his voice on students’ issues, why did his party’s program cause problems to the students going to appear for the exams.
Road closure allegations
Some parents claimed that roads around the examination center were affected for several hours. He said that the date of NEET exam was already announced and everyone was aware of it. In such a situation, he raised questions about organizing a big political program on the day of examination and said that it has affected the interests of the students.
BJP targeted Congress
BJP attacked the Congress government regarding this entire matter. BJP leaders said that political programs were given more priority than students’ examinations. BJP MP Tejashwi Surya, while sharing the statements of parents on social media, said that due to the Congress rally, students faced difficulty in reaching the examination centre. He described this matter as a serious issue related to the interests of students.
Congress’s reply, allegations leveled on Centre.
Responding to BJP’s allegations, Karnataka government minister Priyank Kharge said that the opposition is trying to take political advantage of the issue. He said that the central government should first respond to the issues related to the examination system and paper leak cases. According to him, incidents of irregularities have come to light in many examinations in the last years, which should also be discussed.
Claimed about traffic advisory and helpline
Priyank Kharge said that a traffic advisory had already been issued by the administration and a helpline had also been made available to assist the students. He said that biometric checking and other standard procedures were followed at the examination centres. He also claimed that there were different reasons behind some students arriving late.
Sudhanshu Trivedi raised questions
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said that if it was not possible to postpone the rally completely, its timing could have been changed. According to him, the exam date was already fixed, hence the convenience of the students should have been given priority. He said that this is not a question of only a few parents, but is an issue of concern to students and their families across the country.
Congress leader BK Hariprasad expressed regret
Congress leader BK Hariprasad expressed condolences to the students who could not appear for the exam. He said that if any student has really faced trouble then it is unfortunate and he is sorry for it. He also raised questions on BJP and said that the Central Government should also answer for the irregularities in various examinations and the problems of the students.