NEET, JEE 2020: Congress to hold nationwide protests on August 28; lack of transport, COVID-19 worry students

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the JEE (Main) will be held from September 1 to 6 and NEET (UG) on September 13.  

New Delhi: A day after opposition parties slammed the Centre’s decision to hold NEET and JEE amid the coronavirus pandemic, a call that has seen students across the country up in arms, the Congress has decided to hold nationwide protests against the government’s move in solidarity with the applicants who have expressed worry about lack of transportation and inevitable crowding if the exams are not postponed.

The political move comes after a meeting chaired by Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, which saw chief ministers of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Punjab among others in attendance, urged states to approach the Supreme Court against conducting exams during a pandemic.

Supporting the demand for postponement of NEET and JEE examinations in view of the coronavirus pandemic, seven chief ministers of non-BJP ruled states on Wednesday decided to jointly move the Supreme Court on the issue.

Parties like the DMK and AAP also joined the growing chorus against the holding of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) at a time when COVID-19 cases were rising across the country.

Batting for the students who are demanding postponement of the exams due to COVID-19, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the central government to listen to their grievances and find an amicable solution.

"NEET-JEE aspirants are worried about their health and future. They have genuine concerns of: fear of COVID-19 infection, transport and lodging during pandemic and flood-mayhem in Assam and Bihar," he said on Twitter. "GOI must listen to all stakeholders and find an acceptable solution," he said.

The SC had last week dismissed a plea seeking postponement of the NEET (UG) and JEE exams amid a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, saying the precious year of students.

Over 14 lakh admit cards for the medical and engineering entrance exams --NEET and JEE-- were downloaded after the National Testing Agency (NTA) released them on Wednesday.