Political Turmoil Over NEET Irregularities and Other National Developments
21 June 2024, 17:33 IST
In a sharp rebuke to the central government over alleged administrative lapses in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has vowed to address the issue personally in Parliament. Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a silent spectator amidst the ongoing crisis impacting thousands of students. The sentiment was conveyed in a video clip he shared, documenting his meeting earlier today with a group of NEET aspirants and their concerned parents.
The examination controversy intensified following the recent announcement by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to defer the June edition of the CSIR-UGC-NET exam. Meanwhile, mounting allegations of "paper leaks" and other irregularities have further inflamed criticism against the Modi administration. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP remarked that these issues expose a "governance deficit" under the current regime.
Adding to the fraught atmosphere, the death toll in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has escalated to 48, prompting a political storm. AIADMK leaders were evicted from the state assembly for demanding a debate on the incident. This development underscores the ongoing challenge of illicit liquor in India, a recurrent issue with historical precedents like the 2011 hooch tragedy in West Bengal that claimed over 170 lives.
In another contentious development, the Delhi High Court has stayed a trial court order granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a move that sparked criticism from opposition parties against the BJP.
Citing moral responsibility, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET irregularities. The NEET exam has been a flashpoint for student protests nationwide, with concerns over meritocracy and transparency resonating deeply among the aspirants.
Moreover, the Karnataka High Court granted interim relief to BJP leaders JP Nadda and Amit Malviya in an FIR concerning an offensive video targeting Muslims, which has stirred considerable public reaction.
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also critiqued the NEET fiasco, branding it an "injustice" to the Hindu community while highlighting that out of the 14 lakh students who appeared for the exam, only a small fraction were Muslims. He questioned the silence of the RSS and the Prime Minister on this matter.
In another significant development, TDP leader Nara Lokesh took his oath as an MLA in the legislative assembly today, marking a notable moment for the party.
Meanwhile, political tensions simmer in Delhi over the persistent water crisis, with BJP leader Manoj Tiwari accusing the AAP government of colluding with water tanker mafias to exploit the situation for profit.
Across these varied incidents, a common thread of unrest, calls for accountability, and deep-seated political divisions is evident, reflecting the complex and often tumultuous landscape of Indian politics.
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI), June 21, 2024
