NEET, JEE Main 2020: Mamata writes to PM Modi again, asks Centre to file review plea in SC

A day after Supreme Court declined to pass a direction to Cente to hold National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate (UG) 2020 examination in Gulf countries, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again wrote to PM Narendra Modi asking him to intervene and let his government file an appeal in top court for a review 'in interest of student community'.

In letter to PM, Banerjee said state government has received a letter from National Testing ncy (NTA) for conducting JEE/NEET examinations starting from September 1 for which y are "worried ad concerned".

"I am aware that Hon'ble Supreme Court has given a verdict on holding of JEE/NEET examinations and Central government has been issuing instructions to go ahead with it accordingly. However, I would like to request for your kind intervention and to consider Central Government making an appeal to  Hon'ble Apex Court to review its decision in  interest of student community, so that y are free from mental agony and mental disaster," Bengal CM wrote.

Mamata Banerjee said such intervention by Modi government is essential to facilitate creating a situation whereby students will neir be subjected to grave health risk t y will be facing a career risk.

READ | JEE, NEET Exams 2020: Why Are Students Demanding Delay? Why Did SC Decline Plea?

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SC asks Gulf students to come via Vande Bharat Mission

Supreme Court on Monday heard a plea filed by parents of nearly 4,000 NEET (UG) candidates, who sought to alternatively postpone examination until Coronavirus pandemic recedes. While seeking dismissal of plea, Centre in its affidavit argued that under Vande Bharat Mission, it has permitted Indian citizens, including overseas citizens of India, to come to country by special flights.

top court allowed petitioners to approach State authorities to seek a relaxation of quarantine rms that are mandatory for students who would come from Middle East countries to give exam.  bench headed by L Nswara Rao said exam will be offline and students who fly in will have to maintain 14 days quarantine in view of public health.\

Oppn to JEE/NEET exams amid pandemic

Since examinations are being held amid COVID-19 pandemic, National Testing ncy (NTA), body that conducts exam, has issued a detailed advisory for students keeping in mind concerns regarding social distancing and personal hygiene.  JEE Mains will be conducted from September 1 to September 6 and NEET 2020 will be conducted on September 13. 

Apart from Banerjee, political and social leaders across country, including BJP MP Subramanium Swamy has shown ir apprehensions against having physical exams in current scenario. Multiple students organizations have objected on same. hashtag SATYAGRAHagainstExamInCovid on Twitter was trending, where many students appealed to government to pay heed to ir demands.

Amid soaring coronavirus cases, it is believed that if examinations are conducted n lives of around 25 lakh candidates will be at risk. students have argued that with evidence of virus being airborne, conducting an exam of such a magnitude will only result in a disaster. Parents are equally worried and have argued that with huge crowds, social distancing will naturally take a backseat, especially with amount of stress and anxiety that aspirants will be going through. 

Transport also remains a huge concern among students, parents and activists. Railways remain closed and public transports are eir very less or t accessible. Additionally, activists ted that public transport does pose even more risk of contracting virus because of number of interactions one would have with public.

READ | NEET, JEE Main 2020: NTA Releases COVID-19 Guidelines For Students, See Full List