Congress to protest against NEET/JEE exams

Congress has come ahead in solidarity with lakhs of distressed students who are being risked by the government. The government is just not ready to postpone the exams inspite of millions of appeals from the students, parents,activists and political leaders. After a day-long online meeting of chief ministers of opposition-ruled states, the Congress on Wednesday announced it will hold protests across the country on Friday against the centre's move to push ahead with all-India entrance exams for engineering and medical courses amid the coronavirus crisis.

1. Congress stands in solidarity with students against NEET/JEE

After a day-long online meeting of chief ministers of opposition-ruled states, the Congress on Wednesday announced it will hold protests across the country on Friday against the centre's move to push ahead with all-India entrance exams for engineering and medical courses amid the coronavirus crisis.

2. Congress has announced a pan India protest against NEET/JEE on Friday

"In line with concerted opposition to this mindless and dictatorial move of the central government, Congress will be holding protests on Friday at 11 am in front of central government offices at state and district headquarters."

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement.

3. Congress will oppose the mindless and dictatorial move of the central government

Congress has been opposing the decision of the government to hold these exams during the pandemic, now the party workers will take on to the ground to raise their voices against the 'uncaring" approach of the Centre. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement.

4. The party workers will take on to the ground to raise their voices against the 'uncaring" approach of the Centre.

"While holding exams during Covid crisis has put students in a state of extreme mental stress, the grim flood situation in states like Assam and Bihar will further put students from those states at a severe disadvantage," Mr Venugopal said.

5. Holding exams during Covid crisis has put students in a state of extreme mental stress: Venugopal

During Wednesday's meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had suggested they should jointly go to the Supreme Court and seek to defer holding the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

6. The opposition decided to approach to the Supreme Court in meeting led by Sonia Gandhi

After the meeting - Congress president Sonia Gandhi also attended - Punjab Chief Minister ordered the state's Attorney General to speak to his counterparts in other states and draw a blueprint for an appeal in the top court.

7. Punjab CM ordered the state's Attorney General to speak to his counterparts in other states for an appeal in the top court.

The centre has said it decided to hold the exams based on feedback from parents and students, who do not want to lose the academic year. The National Testing Agency that conducts key entrance exams in the country has also backed the centre's decision as an attempt "to save one academic year".

8. Government justifies its decision to hold the exams as an attempt to save one academic year

There have been a flood of appeals by the students and their families for the postponement of the exams as lakhs of these students live in far off places and reaching the exam centers in the time of pandemic is not possible.The added risk of contracting infection is also scaring the students.

9. Students and parents fear of contracting the infection

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also slammed the Government for being adamant on holding the exams. He has been raising concern for the students along with the campaigns run by Congress on social media.

10 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been raising concerns about the students