Rahul Gandhi claims Modi incapacitated against education mafias as NEET-PG postponement fuels controversy

The recent postponement of NEET-PG 2024 has triggered a storm of controversy, with Rahul Gandhi accusing PM Narendra Modi of being powerless against education mafias and paper leak rackets.

Short Summary:

• Rahul Gandhi critiques Modi’s handling of NEET-PG postponement
• Ministry of Health announces examination reassessment
• National Testing Agency faces scrutiny for alleged irregularities

The Ministry of Health announced the postponement of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2024, a decision taken just hours before the scheduled examination date. This update was met with immense criticism, particularly from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who did not mince his words in condemning the Modi government.

Rahul Gandhi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his dissatisfaction, stating, “Now NEET PG is also postponed! This is another unfortunate example of the ruined education system under the rule of Narendra Modi. In BJP rule, students are not forced to ‘study’ to make their career but are forced to ‘fight’ with the government to save their future.”

“Now it is clear — Modi, who used to silently watch the spectacle every time, is completely helpless in front of the paper leak racket and education mafia. Narendra Modi’s incompetent government is the biggest threat to the future of students — we must save the future of the country from it,” he added.

This postponement occurs during a period of heightened scrutiny of competitive exams in India. Allegations of paper leaks and procedural discrepancies have plagued the ongoing NEET-UG exams, intensifying the discourse around the integrity of these examinations.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Health explained their decision to reassess the examination process, ensuring the robustness of the NEET-PG which is conducted annually by the National Board of Examination. The Ministry stated, “Fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest.”

The decision, impacting nearly 2 lakh students, has fueled discontent among NEET-PG aspirants and provided further fodder for opposition leaders. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the move, suggesting that the government must be held accountable for its actions.

“For students to get Justice, Modi Govt must be held accountable. Now, NEET-PG Exam has been postponed. Four examinations have been either cancelled or postponed in the past 10 days. Paper Leaks, Corruption, Irregularities, and Education Mafia have infiltrated our Education system. This belated whitewashing exercise is of NO consequence as countless youth continue to suffer!” Kharge wrote on X.

Kharge also criticized the removal of Subodh Kumar Singh as NTA chief, alleging that reshuffling the bureaucrats is not a solution to the deeper problems roiling the education system under BJP governance.

“In the NEET Scam, the buck stops at the doorstep of the top echelons of the Modi Govt. Shuffling the bureaucrats is no solution to the endemic problem in the Education system rotted by the BJP. NTA was projected to be an autonomous body, but in reality, it was made to serve the devious interests of the BJP/RSS,” Kharge added.

The Union government has called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG, following a report by Bihar government’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) suggesting a clear case of a paper leak for NEET-UG.

Adding her voice to the chorus of criticism, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the Modi government, alleging that it has surrendered the entire education system to the “mafia” and “corrupt” individuals.

“The political stubbornness and arrogance of handing over the country’s education to greedy and sycophantic incompetent people have made paper leaks, cancellation of exams, disappearance of education from campuses, and political hooliganism the identity of our education system,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote on X.

She continued, “The situation has become such that the BJP government cannot conduct even an examination in a fair manner. Today, the BJP government has become the single biggest hurdle in front of the future of the youth. The capable youth of the country are wasting their precious time and energy fighting the corruption of the BJP and the helpless Modi ji is just watching the spectacle.”

The spate of exam postponements has also drawn sharp remarks from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP). Clyde Crasto, the party’s national spokesperson, accused the government of incompetence and playing with the lives and future of students.

He stated, “Due to the inability to do their job, the government is playing with the lives and future of children.”

Responding to the barrage of accusations, the BJP’s IT Cell Head Amit Malviya defended the postponement, attributing it to a protective measure against opposition politics. He claimed, “The remaining exams have been postponed so that the opposition cannot play with the future of the students and cannot use them for its dirty politics.”

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has borne the brunt of the criticism. Allegations of paper leaks and procedural flaws have plagued the NEET-UG exams, pronounced by massive nationwide protests and calls for the NTA’s disbandment. In response, the Ministry of Education has set up a high-level committee tasked with recommending reforms to the examination process and improving data security protocols.

This seven-member committee, led by former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, is expected to submit its findings within two months. The Centre has also reassigned Subodh Singh from his role as NTA Director General as part of an ongoing investigation into the exam procedural irregularities.

For the Modi government, grappling with persistent critiques of its education policies, the postponement of NEET-PG and the broader allegations of systemic failure in competitive exams represents a notable flashpoint. As investigative bodies delve into the alleged malpractices, the future of competitive examinations remains under intense scrutiny.

The Ministry of Health, emphasizing its commitment to student interests, released a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the postponement. “This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process,” the Ministry stated.

The stakes for addressing these allegations are particularly high, as the integrity of NEET and other competitive exams is central to educational equity and the prospects of countless students nationwide. While the postponement aims to safeguard the examination process, it undeniably underscores the pressing need for reforms to regain public trust.

As the controversy unfolds, the true extent of the irregularities and the effectiveness of subsequent reforms will determine the future trajectory of the Indian education system. For now, students, parents, and educational stakeholders await the outcomes of the ongoing investigations and proposed policy changes.