'I feel like Vidura': Subramanian Swamy draws Mahabharat reference to JEE, NEET exams

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has been vocal about his opinion on JEE and NEET entrance exams and urging Centre to postpone exams in light of pandemic. However, government on Thursday expressed its decision to go ahead with exams with Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank stating that  career of students was first priority for Union government and adding that exams would be held as scheduled.

Reacting to government's decision, Swamy drew a reference from Mahabharat and opined students were 'Draupadi' who suffered brunt of political rivalry between two factions —  Pandavas and Kauravas. Taking to Twitter, he said he felt like 'Vidura', a character from Mahabharat who is righteous and always opposes wrong, yet cant make a significant impact to change deteriorating situation.

Swamy, who on Wednesday took to Twitter and alleged glaring inequalities that will be faced by students if examinations were scheduled amid pandemic. Urging Prime Minister to empathise, Swamy said that examination right w favours children of rich parents in major cities as poor and lower-middle-class children have had access to internet or ability to go to libraries or collective study due to COVID-19 induced lockdown.

In his tweet on August 24, he even compared JEE/NEET exams in times of COVID-19, to forceful 'Nasbandi' (vasectomy) of 1976 and warned government of consequence that Indira Gandhi government had to suffer in 1977.

Centre's view on JEE/NEET exams

However, Centre is of opinion that exams were already postponed twice in view of pandemic and postponing it furr would be playing with future of aspirants and student who are looking forward to exams. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday 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.

Education Minister revealed that about 85% of students appearing for exams had already downloaded ir admit cards and were ready to sit for ir tests after much preparation. Over 14 lakh admit cards for medical and engineering entrance exams of NEET and JEE were downloaded by Thursday after National Testing ncy (NTA) released m on Wednesday.

While Centre is facing criticism from Opposition for conducting JEE Mains and NEET in view of rising COVID-19 cases, over 100 academicians from various universities in India and abroad have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that delaying medical and engineering entrance exams any furr will mean compromising future of students.

Pokhriyal added that Union Health Secretary had written to top administrative officials in states to ensure that safety of candidates is given paramount importance. Additionally, he hailed guidelines issued by National Testing ncy for preventing spread of COVID-19. Around 9.53 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Main examination which will be held between September 1 to 6, while  NEET examination is scheduled for September 13 for which 15.97 lakh students have registered.

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