NEET, JEE mains 2020: Congress to hold pan-India protest on Friday

August 27: The Congress on Wednesday announced that it will hold countrywide protests on 28 August to oppose the government’s decision to hold NEET, JEE exams during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal said the move is in line with concerted opposition to this “dictatorial move” of the government.

JEE is slated to take place between September 1 to September 6, whereas NEET is scheduled for September 13. Around 8.58 lakh students have registered to appear for the JEE (Mains) examination, while 15.97 lakh candidates will appear for NEET. 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”.

A group of over 100 academicians on Thursday has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi showing support over the decision to hold the JEE and NEET next month.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday wrote an open letter opposing the Narendra Modi government’s decision to hold NEET and JEE exams amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Samajwadi Party chief alleged that the BJP was only concerned about its vote bank and was acting against the students in a “revengeful manner”.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said health and safety of 25 lakh students are being jeopardised in the ensuing JEE, NEET exams as students are protesting across the country. 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).