The decision of invalidating the MHT-CET tests has irked students, parents and now politicians too. On On Monday morning Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met CM Devendra Fadnavis on the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) issue here on Monday, told the media present that he had called up the Prime Minister yesterday to convey the grievances of parents and students. The Chief Minister has assured him that he will meet Prime Minster Narendra Modi on the issue and try his best to resolve the NEET examination issue that students are facing.
“We have had an assurance from the CM, and are hoping to have this issue solved,” said Dr. Veena Borse, a parent. While some of the students will have a hard time finding the books and students from vernacular languages will find it tough to avail any facilities that urban students will get. “We are going to form a human chain on Tuesday in South Mumbai. We will not back down until the government understands the stress and pain our children are going through,” said another parent Ajay Gupta.
Later on Monday, BJP MLA Raj Purohit voiced his opinion in a conference held in South Mumbai along with parents of affected students. He has written to the CM Fadnavis to intervene in the matter on behalf of parents and students of Maharashtra. “I had a talk with the CM regarding this issue. He has assured that the issue will be resolved and has spoken to education minister in Delhi as well,” Purohit said.
Education Minister Vinod Tawde, who has been criticised by almost all opposition parties, met with the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda on Monday to discuss the issue. He has put forth a proposal for the centre and urged the central governmtent to promulgate an ordinance regarding postponement of the NEET examination for this year, and suggested that the students should be allowed this year to get admissions through MHT-CET. The proposal was accepted by education ministers of all states who were present in the conference, except the minister from Delhi.
In Maharashtra, the All India Pre Medical Test (AIMPT) was held on May 1 as phase-I of NEET. MHT-CET was held on May 5 in which over four lakh aspirants appeared for admissions in medical and dental courses.
WAR OF WORDS
On May 14, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray strongly criticised Education Minister Vinod Tawde's ability to handle the issue not keeping in mind the students' situation. On May 15, Congress MLA and youth leader Nitesh Rane also commented on the minister Tawde's inept way of putting forward decisions that are only stressing students out. To this, Tawde responded, “It is unfortunate that this issue is being politicised in Maharashtra. Where was Nitesh Rane up until now? And Raj Thackeray has only reacted because parents went to him for help, could he not have spoken up on his own before the parents met him?”