Students miss NEET re-test amid Bengaluru gridlock, BJP-Congress trade jibes

A Congress rally caused a major traffic congestion in Bengaluru city hours before the NEET re-test on Sunday (June 22) and allegedly resulted in at least three students missing the examination, resulting in a political slugfest between the ruling party in Karnataka and the Opposition BJP. More than 22 lakh students appeared for the NEET UG re-test across the country after the first test was cancelled due to a paper leak.

Traffic chaos sparks row

A section of parents questioned the Congress’ decision to hold the rally in Bengaluru city on the days of the NEET UG re-test, asking whether Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were aware of the chaos, stating that the Congress MP can go to Kota for a students’ outreach program, but the rally of his party has led to students missing the NEET UG re-test.

"NEET was announced a month ago. Entire India knew that NEET will be held on June 21. But the Congress organised a rally today. The road has been blocked for three hours. How will the children come?" a student’s father told a news agency.

BJP targets Congress

The BJP latched on the remark. Sharing the video on its X handle, the saffron party accused the Congress of stooping low in its hunger for power. It further alleged that the Congress deliberately organised the rally on that day and blocked roads.

“How much further will Congress stoop in its hunger for power! Listen to the parents of NEET aspirants. How Congress deliberately organized a rally and blocked the roads, causing significant trouble for students in reaching their examination centers,” stated the BJP.

Reacting to the development BJP MP Tejasvi Surya posted the video on his handle with the caption: Watch the anxious parent narrate the ordeal of reaching late to the NEET exam hall because of Congress rally in Bengaluru.

Congress hits back

The State Congress leadership, however, brushed aside the allegation, with Minister Priyank Kharge saying that Surya should first apologise for the Centre’s treatment of students.

Also Read: NTA dismisses video claiming paper leak as 'fake', says NEET re-exam successfully held

"We should not bother about Tejasvi Surya. I think he's looking for a ministerial berth in the reshuffle. Let him do drama. The Centre is playing with the lives of students. In the last decade alone, 89 paper leaks have happened," said Kharge as quoted by NDTV.

"Three people did not appear for NEET in the city. One came from Magadi Road, the second had an old hall ticket, and the third came late from RT Nagar. The gates opened at 11 am. At 1.30 pm, you are supposed to report. There are biometric checks and SOPs in place. We had issued a traffic advisory and provided a helpline. Show me which BJP government has done this," he added.

Regret, but questions too

Senior Congress leader, BK Hariprasad expressed regret for the students but questioned the BJP over alleged suicides by NEET aspirants in the country.

"I heard some students faced hardship to reach the hall. If indeed they have, I express my regrets for the inconveniences. However, I would like to ask the BJP: Due to their failures, many exams and preparations went to waste. Did they apologise?" he said.