In what may look like a major disappointment to the students and parents, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petitions seeking a postponement of NEET and JEE. However, the students and parents had an important point to make - Let the government open the parliament first. "The politicians are concerned about their own safety, but not the students'" says Senior Advocate Anubha Sahai, who represented the petitioners.
"Life has to go on. Life has to move ahead. Precious year of students cannot be wasted," the bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari, said during the hearing conducted through video conferencing while paving the way for commencement of the exams as scheduled.
Sahai called the judgment a disappointment. "This will cause a further spike in the number of COVID cases, now that there are reports that the virus is airborne and that there is a community spread. The government is putting the students' lives at risk," she says. Sahai added that according to a survey conducted among 28,000 students, 98 per cent wanted the exams to be postponed.
She added that the students did not want the exams to be cancelled, but a postponement until things get back to normal. "The Prime Minister in his August 15 speech said that there is a chance of a vaccine coming soon. Why can't we wait until then?" she asks. She also cited the examples of other examinations which were conducted recently and resulted in a spurt of cases. "In fact, conducting these entrances will be a violation of the MHA guidelines. When weddings can have only 50 guests, how do they allow thousands of students in a building at the same time?" she asks.
As per the public notices issued by NTA, JEE (Main) April 2020 is scheduled from September 1-6, while NEET UG 2020 exam is scheduled for September 13. The plea alleged that authorities concerned have ignored the plight of lakhs of students from Bihar, Assam and northeastern states, which are presently reeling under flood, and conducting either online or offline exams in such places may not be possible.
(With PTI Inputs)
