Dharamshala, May 12
Rajya Sabha MP Anurag Sharma on Monday expressed concern over the cancellation of the NEET examination, saying the development has created uncertainty for nearly 24 lakh students across the country and caused severe mental stress among candidates and their families.
Speaking to reporters in Dharamshala, Sharma said lakhs of students had worked tirelessly for the examination, with many taking a drop year to prepare, while several families spent significant amounts on coaching and accommodation for their children.
He said students often stay away from home and prepare under difficult circumstances, and incidents such as paper leaks and cancellation of examinations deeply affect their mental well being. He added that parents are also facing emotional distress due to the uncertainty surrounding the examination process.
Sharma alleged that paper leaks cannot occur without political protection and claimed that such incidents have repeatedly eroded public trust in the system. He also referred to previous examination paper leak cases in Himachal Pradesh, including the police recruitment examination.
Demanding strict action, Sharma called for the formation of a special committee under the supervision of Supreme Court judges to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter. He said those responsible for the paper leak and examination irregularities should face the strictest punishment.
The Congress leader said the party stands firmly with students and their families during the ongoing crisis.
According to Sharma, nearly 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET examination across India, including around 32,000 candidates from Himachal Pradesh. He said Kangra district alone accounted for nearly 8,000 to 9,000 students, while around 2,000 candidates appeared for the examination in Dharamshala.
Calling Dharamshala a growing educational hub, Sharma said even students from his extended family were emotionally disturbed following the cancellation of the examination. He described the entire episode as a serious injustice against students and strongly condemned the incident.
