Congress follows Rahul Gandhi's clarion call; leads nationwide protest against NEET-JEE

Congress on Friday launched a campaign against Central government's decision to hold NEET and JEE exams during coronavirus pandemic, with former party chief Rahul Gandhi urging people to speak up for safety of students. Gandhi tweeted his appeal as part of party's campaign under which it is holding countrywide protests on Friday to oppose government's decision to hold NEET, JEE exams.

Following Rahul Gandhi's appeal, protests have erupted in parts of Delhi and Tamil Nu as several Congress workers took to streets and demonstrated against conducting entrance exams in September.

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Congress leers also voiced support for nationwide agitation in a bid to persue Centre to postpone examinations."If we keep raising matter, Centre will have to consider demands of people and postpone JEE and NEET exams," he tweeted in Hindi. Meanwhile, hir Ranjan Chowdhury has written a letter to Prime Minister Modi seeking postponement of exam dates. 

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Meanwhile, a hunger strike started by National Student Union of India (NSUI) members demanding postponement of NEET and JEE exams entered third day on Friday. NSUI student body of  Congress began an indefinite hunger strike at Youth Congress office on Wednesday.

ir protest saw support of Member Of Parliament Rajeev Satav, who expressed solidarity with NSUI president Neeraj Kunan and his colleagues who have been sitting on a hunger strike and said that government should t be conducting exams in se difficult times.

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'Students' year should t be wasted'

On Thursday, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank stated that career of students was first priority for Union government. Reiterating that JEE and NEET exams would be held as scheduled, he maintained that one year of students should t be wasted. Moreover, he quoted Supreme Court order which found merit in postponing JEE and NEET exams. 

Pokhriyal ded that Union Health Secretary h written to top ministrative officials in states to ensure that safety of candidates is given paramount importance. ditionally, he hailed guidelines issued by NTA for preventing spre of COVID-19. While JEE Main examination will be held between September 1 to 6, NEET examination is scheduled for September 13. 

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