AAP Protests in Kolkata Against NET Exam Paper Leak 2024
AAP Protests in Kolkata: The controversy surrounding the National Eligibility Test (NET) exam paper leak unfolds, sparking protests and political debate across India. Today, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a demonstration at Rani Rash Mani Mor in Kolkata’s Dharmatala area, voicing their support for NET students and opposing the National Testing Agency (NTA).
AAP’s Demands: AAP Protests in Kolkata
AAP representatives submitted a deputation to Governor CV Anand Bose, calling for:
- The central government to establish an investigation team to probe the NET exam cheating allegations
- The NTA to transparently address the issues and clarify its role in the matter
Statement from AAP Spokesperson
Arnab Moitra, Chief Spokesperson of AAP West Bengal, expressed his concerns to the media:
“The widespread reports of corruption in the NET exam are deeply troubling. What message are we sending to our young generation? This issue affects the 24 lakh students who took the NET exam this year and future aspirants. Such corruption demoralizes and discourages our children.”
Moitra emphasized AAP’s demand for a thorough and honest investigation, insisting that those involved should face severe consequences.
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Background on NET and NEET Exams
The blog post then provided context on the broader exam landscape:
- In 2024, over 2.3 lakh candidates competed for approximately 1.09 lakh MBBS seats
- Government colleges offered around 55,000 seats, with the remainder in private institutions
- The Medical Council of India (MCI) conducts counselling for seat allocation after results are announced
Controversies and Legal Challenges
The NET exam controversies have gained significant political attention, especially amid the general elections. Key issues include:
- Allegations of question paper leaks
- Discrepancies in marking
- An unprecedented number of perfect scores
- Controversial decision to grant grace marks
- Early release of results (June 4 instead of June 14)
These concerns have led to:
- Petitions filed in the Supreme Court and various high courts seeking to annul the exam
- Demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry
Recent Developments
In response to mounting pressure, the NTA and the government have:
- Withdrawn the grace marks
- Announced plans to re-examine 1,563 students on June 23, 2024
The Supreme Court is scheduled to convene on July 8, 2024, to discuss the potential cancellation of NEET 2024.
