Kejriwal Urges Indian Youth to Demand Accountability Amid NEET-UG 2024 Leak

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal has called upon India's Gen Z population to actively demand accountability regarding the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, citing examples of youth movements in Bangladesh and Nepal. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal asserted that if the youth in these neighboring countries could bring about political change, Indian students too possess the power to ensure accountability in cases of examination paper leaks. The core of Kejriwal's address focused on the widespread concern and distrust generated by repeated incidents of question paper leaks in competitive examinations, which he stated have severely shaken the confidence of aspiring students. He specifically highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024, which was initially conducted on May 5, 2024. The exam has faced allegations of widespread irregularities and paper leaks, leading to its cancellation by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and a subsequent transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Kejriwal expressed deep sympathies for the lakhs of students and their parents affected by the cancellation, sharing his own experiences of preparing for competitive exams like the IIT and Civil Services. He underscored the immense hard work, dedication, and financial sacrifice involved, with many poor families mortgaging assets or incurring significant debt for coaching, only to have their dreams jeopardized by leaks. The Delhi Chief Minister, who is currently out on interim bail, lambasted the effectiveness of investigations conducted by the CBI into previous examination leaks. He questioned whether those responsible for past leaks had ever faced stringent punishment, claiming that the ongoing CBI probe into the NEET-UG paper leak would likely not yield any meaningful outcomes, much like its predecessors. Kejriwal alleged that repeated paper leaks, occurring since 2014, indicate 'political patronage' and a 'complete collusion' at a very high level, rather than isolated incidents. He specifically mentioned alleged NEET paper leaks in 2017, 2021, and 2024, stating that the current incident marks the fourth time the examination has been compromised under the Modi government, yet those previously accused are out on bail. According to Kejriwal, these incidents have adversely affected the future of crores of students across the country. He further alleged that a majority of these paper leak cases have occurred in states governed by the BJP, calling it more than a mere coincidence. He urged students to "take to the streets" and protest against the government, asserting that such administrations only respond to the language of agitation. The NEET-UG 2024 controversy began with allegations of question paper leaks on May 5, 2024. While the NTA initially denied these claims, arrests were made in Patna, Bihar, involving individuals who allegedly paid significant sums (₹30 lakh to ₹50 lakh) to obtain the paper beforehand. The Supreme Court of India later acknowledged that at least 155 students directly benefited from the paper leak. The CBI's investigation revealed that the leak had occurred on the morning of the examination, specifically tracing a compromised paper to Oasis Public School in Hazaribagh. The cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 affects nearly 23 lakh aspirants and marks the first time the exam has been fully scrapped since the NTA took over its conduct in 2019. Kejriwal's call to action is a significant political statement, framing the NEET paper leak as a systemic issue rooted in governmental failures and alleged corruption. His invocation of youth power in other South Asian nations serves to galvanize Indian students to demand greater transparency and accountability from the authorities. The ongoing debate and student protests highlight a critical challenge to the credibility of India's examination system and the future prospects of its youth.

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