Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao strongly criticized the Central government’s handling of the NEET exam and demanded a thorough investigation into the controversy surrounding it. In an open letter addressed to the NDA government on Sunday, KTR slammed the confusion that has arisen around the examination, which he said has shattered the hopes of students and parents aspiring to see their children become doctors.
KTR condemned the Union government’s inaction despite reports of NEET question papers being sold in Bihar for up to 30 lakh each, leading to several arrests. He accused the government of neglecting its responsibilities and adopting a lackadaisical attitude towards the NEET entrance exam right from the beginning. He found it unacceptable that despite numerous allegations and suspicions, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has not responded adequately.
The BRS leader questioned the silence of the Prime Minister on such a critical issue, especially considering his frequent interactions with students about exams. KTR demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter and strict action against those found responsible. He also called for reassurances to be given to students and their parents.
KTR highlighted the unusual situation where 67 students achieved the first rank in NEET, which raised suspicions. He pointed out that eight students from the same center scored 720 marks each, suggesting a significant level of paper leakage. He criticized the announcement of results 10 days earlier, coinciding with election results day, which added to the suspicion.
KTR demanded an explanation from the Union government for its lack of action despite the gravity of the situation. He criticized Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for attempting to cover up the issue by claiming everything was in order. Despite numerous complaints and even cases filed in the Supreme Court by prominent individuals, KTR expressed surprise that the Union government did not respond until the Supreme Court intervened. He noted the unusual responses provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA) when questioned.
KTR also criticized the awarding of grace marks this year to 1,563 students in NEET, pointing out that such practices are not typically applied in exams like NEET. He demanded clarity on the criteria used for awarding these marks and questioned the NTA’s handling of the matter.
The BRS leader stressed that the issue is not confined to NEET alone but also affects several competitive exams conducted under the NTA’s supervision, potentially eroding trust among students. KTR called for stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future and assured that the BRS would continue to fight for the rights of students affected by these irregularities.
