The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) expressed concern over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) integrity after the Central government canceled the exam due to a paper leak, affecting over 22 lakh students. The party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, highlighted the alleged nexus involving corrupt officials, printing presses, and coaching centers in leaking exam papers for financial gain.
According to ‘Saamana’, leaked papers were openly sold in the market before the exam, with middlemen reportedly aiding affluent parents in securing leaked papers to bypass fair competition. The editorial raised questions about the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) failure to safeguard question papers, leading to widespread leaks and subsequent investigations.
The editorial further revealed that leaked papers were disseminated through various social media platforms, including Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp, disguised as ‘guess papers’. Investigations have linked the paper leak to multiple states, including Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, with concerns raised over the recurrence of such incidents despite previous arrests.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena criticized the government for the mental and financial burden imposed on students who now have to retake the NEET exam. Despite the NTA waiving re-examination fees, rural students still face challenges related to travel expenses and psychological stress. The editorial emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in the education system to prevent further exploitation of aspiring doctors.
