'NEET UG question paper got leaked thrice in last five years, why government took so long to initiate a dialogue?' K Annamalai slams Centre

NEW DELHI: Former BJP leader and founder of the We The Leaders movement, K. Annamalai, has strongly criticised the central government over the NEET-UG question paper leak. He claimed that the NEET question paper had leaked three times in the past five years, but no one was willing to take responsibility for it. His remarks come at a time when student protests are intensifying across the country.

"Over the past many years, I have taken a personal stand in support of the NEET examination, arguing that it brought uniformity in student selection across the country and gave students from underprivileged backgrounds a real shot at pursuing their dream of medical education," Annamalai said. "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, and I believe strongly that it was that moment that brought in a shift in the minds of the students to take to the streets to cry their hearts out. "

He said the right to protest is a fundamental right in a democracy. Annamalai also questioned why the BJP-led central government did not hold talks with students before the protests escalated.

"Issues like this should have been addressed through dialogue at an early stage. Why did the government wait until the protests became widespread before engaging with the students?" he asked.

Annamalai also warned that prolonged protests could be misused by groups with vested interests and urged students to remain vigilant.

"If our students lose faith in the fairness and credibility of our education system, we are jeopardising the future of our nation. I urge the BJP-led Central Government to engage in meaningful dialogue, uphold transparency, and take swift, appropriate action to address the concerns at hand," he said.