PM Modi breaks silence on NEET-UG
Highlighting timely re-examination, quick results and arrests made, the PM defended the Government’s actions
Amidst massive public outrage on NEET-UG paper leak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday broke his silence over the issue and asserted that strong action has been taken against those involved in paper leaks so that no one plays with the future of the youth, while terming the leaks ghor paap (grave sin).
PM Modi said all State Governments and the Union Government must join hands on the issue as it is “not a matter of party politics but a matter of national interest”. He also told NDA MPs that they should remain closely connected with the people.
Sources said PM Modi also told NDA leaders that there is a need to “win the trust of the youth” while suggesting a national outreach by MPs among students on the issue.
The comments comes in an effort to pacify the youths after thousands converged to participate in a march to the Parliament on Monday called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on the first day of the Monsoon Session. The protestors have been demanding the resignation of the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, over the fiasco.
The PM pointed out that while the NEET re-examination incident created inconvenience for children, not only did the re-test take place without delay, but the Government also engaged dhurandar (expert) lawyers to ensure strict punishment for those involved, sources said.
Briefing journalists after a meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party, which was renamed Mangal Milan recently, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said the PM told the MPs that the Government acted immediately after reports of the paper leak surfaced, and 13 people were arrested and sent to jail.
“At the same time, the prime minister noted, to ensure that students’ future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay,” Rijiju said after the hour-long meeting. PM also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future, he added.
The PM also told the ruling alliance’s MPs that those guilty in paper leaks should be given the strictest possible punishment, with the support of the country’s top lawyers, so that they face exemplary punishment.