A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court has rejected the review petitions filed by ministers of six opposition-ruled states on the matter of the court’s earlier order which permitted the centre to conduct JEE and NEET. The petition was filed against the apex court of August 17 which ruled that the examinations would be conducted as it cannot jeopardize the future of students and had refused to postpone the exams any further as it had already been postponed twice before.
However on August 28, Chief Ministers of six opposition-ruled states – Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Maharashtra – approached the court asking for a review of its decision.
The petition stated that the Supreme Court judgement would affect the lives of many students and fails to ensure the safety and security of the candidates appearing for the exam. It also said that the concept holding an examination amidst a pandemic is “flawed”.
Further, the petition read as to how the National Testing Agency has failed in proper planning in carrying out the exams, including ensuring proper COVID-19 safeguards in the exam centres thus indicating a clear lack of safety for students. It also pointed out the dangers of almost 25 lakh students appearing for the exam at a time when over 3.31 million across the country have been affected with Coronavirus infection.
Many students and states had also come against the decision to hold these examinations during a pandemic situation stating dangers related to health as well as other issues such as commutation and difficulties faced due to floods, lockdown etc. in certain parts of the country.