NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, AUG 28
The ruling BJP in Gujarat on Friday accused the Congress of creating anarchy by inciting students and asked the main opposition party to accept the Supreme Court”s verdict on NEET, JEE and university exams.
Students are our future, we depend on them to build a better India, therefore, if any decision has to be taken regarding their future it is important that it is taken with their concurrence.: Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi #SpeakUpForStudentSafety pic.twitter.com/Jf18cmykbd
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 28, 2020
On August 17, the top court had refused to interfere with the conduct of medical and engineering entrance exams- the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) scheduled to take place in September saying that life must go on and students can’t lose a precious year due to the pandemic.
However, the Congress on Friday organised state-wide demonstration demanding that the exams be deferred in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in parts of the country.
Shri @RahulGandhi's message to students as part of the #SpeakUpForStudentSafety campaign. pic.twitter.com/bkirEG5boV
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 28, 2020
Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda was among the 30-odd party leaders to be detained by the police for holding protests without permission.
पूरे देश में 26 लाख के लगभग छात्र JEE और NEET की परीक्षाओं की तैयारी कर रहे हैं। परीक्षाएं जरूरी तो हैं; लेकिन छात्रों की जान से बढ़कर जरूरी नहीं हैं। प्रधानमंत्री खुद के मन की बात तो करते हैं; लेकिन छात्रों के मन की बात नहीं सुन रहे: श्री @AmitChavdaINC#SpeakUpForStudentSafety pic.twitter.com/1Rs5R2oYhf
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 28, 2020
State BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said, “The Congress is least concerned about the future of students. The party’s main aim is to create anarchy by inciting students. When the Supreme Court has already given its verdict, its inappropriate on the part of the Congress to hold protests.”
“After democracy and the Election Commission, it is now the Supreme Court, which the opposition party has lost trust on,” he alleged.
State Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi hit back saying that the BJP government at the Centre was trying to hide its inefficiency by taking cover behind the apex court.
“Apart from coronavirus, several states are facing a flood-like situation. Even the Centre has kept educational institutions shut to stop the spread of COVID-19. Congress is not doing any politics. We are only concerned about the safety of students,” he said.
“If the government was serious about holding exams, why didn’t it plan in advance and came up with options? Now, the Centre is taking cover behind the SC verdict to hide its own inefficiency,” he added.
While the NEET is slated to be held on September 13, engineering entrance exam JEE-Main is scheduled between September 1-6.
વિદ્યાર્થીઓના ભાવિ સાથે ચેડા કરવાના ઈરાદા સાથે કોંગ્રેસે રેલી અને પ્રદર્શનો યોજીને રાજકીય નાટક દ્વારા અરાજકતા ફેલાવવાના કૂપ્રયાસ કરી રહી છે. – પ્રદેશ પ્રવક્તા શ્રી @bharatpandyabjp #PressNote pic.twitter.com/ak182wz8zb
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) August 28, 2020
Listen to student voices, act as per their wishes: Sonia, Rahul to govt on NEET, JEE
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged the government to listen to the voices of students on the issue of conducting NEET and JEE and act according to their wishes.
Various opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in parts of the country, even as the Union government has made it clear that they will be held as per schedule with due precautions.
Six ministers of opposition-ruled states on Friday also moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its order permitting the Centre to conduct NEET and JEE this year amid the persisting pandemic.
As part of the Congress’ day-long campaign of holding protests and voicing opposition on social media to the holding of the entrance examinations, the party posted Sonia Gandhi’s message to students and the government on the issue of conducting the exams.
“I feel for you because you are now facing a very difficult situation. The issue of your exams, of when they should be taken up is the most important issue, not only for you but for your family,” Sonia Gandhi said in a video addressing students.
“You are our future. We depend on you to build a better India,” she said.
Therefore, if any decision has to be taken regarding students” future, it is important that it is “being taken with your concurrence”, the Congress leader said
“I hope the government listens to you, listens to your voices and acts upon your wishes. This is my advice to the government,” she said in the nearly minute-long video posted on the Congress’ Twitter handle with the hashtag ”Speak Up For Student Safety”.
