NEET Results: Protests Over NEET-UG Controversy In West Bengal, TMC Calls For SC-Monitored Investigation

NEET Controversy: Members of the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) marched towards Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, carrying placards.

TMC spokesperson Santanu Sen alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was playing with the future of students.

Source : PTI

Kolkata: Protests were held near the headquarters of the West Bengal Education Department in Salt Lake on Thursday, citing irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam and delays in admissions to state-run colleges. In solidarity with NEET-UG students, the TMC called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter, as reported by news agency PTI.

Members of the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) marched towards Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, carrying placards. However, police intervened and attempted to persuade the protestors to disperse. When they insisted on proceeding, police detained several demonstrators and took them away in vehicles.

One protester expressed concern that the controversy surrounding NEET-UG is jeopardizing the futures of many aspiring doctors.

Also, frustration among students is rising as even a month after the higher secondary results were announced, the admissions in state-run colleges did not begin, while private colleges have already begun the process, he said.

TMC spokesperson Santanu Sen alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was playing with the future of students.

"This is one of the biggest scams of the BJP-led central government. The BJP is playing with the future of lakhs of students. We demand a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into this entire NEET-UG scandal, which has affected around 24 lakh students," said Sen, who is also a doctor.

Prominent city-based doctor Kunal Sarkar claimed that reports of irregularities are just the “tip of the iceberg,” suggesting that thousands of seats in various private medical colleges could potentially be “auctioned off for sums ranging from Rs 2-3 crore.”

“It is a case of corruption of Himalayan proportions... We demand the entire counselling and admission process be put on hold for a month,” he said.

Another prominent physician, Dr Arkadeep Biswas, added: “In previous years, students securing 600 marks could get admission to reputed medical colleges, but this year’s irregularities might deprive even those scoring 650 the opportunity to study medicine.” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan rejected the allegations of a paper leak in NEET-UG, saying there was no evidence of it.

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that it has revoked the decision to grant grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates for MBBS, BDS, and other courses. These candidates will now have the option to participate in a re-test scheduled for June 23.