New Delhi: Slamming the Modi government for not taking a clear position on exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth organisation Yuva Halla Bol demanded that the Modi government come up with a clear policy on offline exams in order to address the mental trauma and harassment being faced by aspirants and their families.
Yuva Halla Bol leader Anupam said that the Modi government should postpone all offline examinations by three months and review the situation in November.
"The issue is not just about JEE mains or NEET to be conducted by NTA. There are other exams like BHU entrance, CLAT, NDA, STET, etc too. Earlier, we have seen public debate on CBSE exams, then the concerns of final year degree students affiliated to UGC and now the ongoing issue with NTA," a statement from the organisation said.
"The issue is to be resolved by the central government by bringing a sweeping order to postpone all such exams for three months. The government can declare that the situation will be reviewed at the end of this period. It is highly probable that the record figures of new cases will slow down by then and thereby the risks associated to it," it added.
Yuva Halla bol said it was sad and unfortunate that instead of behaving like a guardian to lakhs of students and exam aspirants, the Modi government has abdicated its responsibility.
Read:JEE-NEET aspirants shouldn't be at risk due to govt's failures: Cong
"Students and concerned citizens have to turn to the courts while the government is not ready to budge. The deafening silence of the Prime Minister on the issue is also disturbing. PM Modi used to organise "Pariksha Par Charcha" and has also written a book called "Exam Warriors" to guide the stressful youngsters taking exams. But today, when the exam warriors of our country really want a "Pariksha Par Charcha" to address their stress, the Prime Minister seems missing," it said.
The youth organisation said that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is on a rise, and the country has not yet seen the peak of infections.
Amid the raging pandemic, public health should supercede all other concerns while taking any decision. Any sensible individual, politician or government cannot think otherwise, it said.
Read:Exam delays will affect academic time: Minister
The organisation further said that the statements by the ruling party leaders and governments that they don't want to waste an academic year are uninformed, as the students are only demanding that the exams be postponed till the worst phase of coronavirus passes.
"Apart from the risk of coronavirus spread, various states are facing problems like flood and lack of transport. Some of the students have their examination centres hundreds of kilometres away and no public transport to reach. This situation tilts the equation against students from poor and underprivileged backgrounds. It is the responsibility of our government to ensure a level playing field for students from all sections," the organisation said.
