NEET Paper Leaked Three Times in Five Years, Says Former BJP Leader Amid Protests
Former BJP leader K Annamalai, who recently resigned from the party ahead of Tamil Nadu state elections, has voiced strong criticism over repeated leaks of the NEET UG question paper. In a detailed post on social media platform X, he highlighted that the paper has been compromised three times in the last five years, leading to widespread student protests and demands for accountability.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer, was one of the BJP's most prominent faces in Tamil Nadu. He reiterated his longstanding support for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), arguing that it brings uniformity in medical admissions and offers opportunities to students from underprivileged backgrounds. However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of accountability following the leaks.
"In the last 5 years, the NEET UG question paper has leaked thrice. Imagine the amount of pressure that it puts on students, who had to go through the examination process yet another time when the system that was supposed to bring in uniformity was failing. Yet there was no accountability," Annamalai wrote.
His comments come as large-scale protests erupt across India, with students calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Annamalai emphasised that protesting is a fundamental right in a democracy and questioned why the central government delayed engaging in dialogue with demonstrators until the situation escalated.
"Why did the BJP-led central government take so long to initiate a dialogue with the protestors? Why was meaningful engagement delayed until the protest had escalated to a flashpoint?" he asked.
Annamalai also cautioned student leaders to ensure that protests remain focused on their core demands and are not hijacked by individuals with vested interests. He urged the government to take swift, transparent action to restore faith in the education system.
"The strength of any nation lies in the confidence its youth place in its institutions. If our students lose faith in the fairness and credibility of our education system, we are jeopardising the future of our nation," he added.
