Political row breaks out after aspirants miss NEET re-test in Bengaluru, parents blame Congress rally

At least three students reportedly missed the NEET-UG re-test, triggering outrage among parents and sparking a political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress.

More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the nationwide re-test, conducted over a month after the original examination was cancelled amid allegations of a paper leak.

Students caught in gridlock as exam time approaches

The examination began at 2 pm, with candidates required to report by 1.30 pm. However, heavy traffic on key city roads reportedly left many students stranded as they rushed to their centres.

Parents on two-wheelers were seen attempting to navigate through long queues of vehicles, with some even riding on footpaths in a desperate bid to reach examination venues on time.

For at least three students, the effort proved futile. By the time they arrived, entry had been closed.

Some reportedly tried to scale the gates of the examination centre but were denied entry as per examination rules.

Parents vent anger over alleged traffic mismanagement

Several parents blamed the Congress rally for the delays, arguing that a major political event should not have been held on a day when a crucial national examination was scheduled.

Krishna Murthy, whose child appeared for the test, said a journey that usually takes around 20 minutes stretched to over 35 minutes because of congestion.

"As a father, I panicked. I even had to ride on the footpath and was reprimanded by the police. Political rallies should be held outside Bengaluru, not in the middle of the city," he told the media.

Another parent questioned the timing of the event, saying students were forced to bear the consequences despite months of preparation for the examination.

BJP attacks Congress, cites students' ordeal

The issue quickly escalated into a political controversy, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of prioritising politics over students' interests.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya shared videos of distressed parents and students on social media, alleging that the rally disrupted access to examination centres.

Another BJP leader, Sudhanshu Trivedi, argued that the Congress could have altered the timing of the rally given the significance of the NEET re-test.

"This raises serious questions about the government's priorities when students are appearing for one of the country's most important examinations," he said.

Congress rejects allegations, points to prior advisories

The Congress government in Karnataka denied responsibility for the students missing the examination and highlighted measures taken to manage traffic.

State minister Priyank Kharge accused the BJP of politicising the issue and shifted focus to concerns surrounding the conduct of national examinations.

He said authorities had issued traffic advisories in advance, opened examination centres well before reporting time, and provided helplines for candidates.

According to Kharge, one student reportedly arrived with an outdated hall ticket, while others faced individual logistical issues.

"The gates were opened at 11 am and candidates were required to report by 1.30 pm. There are biometric checks and standard operating procedures that must be followed," he said.

Opposition voices concern

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy described the episode as a "shameful development" and called for accountability.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad expressed regret over the difficulties faced by students but questioned the BJP over alleged failures in handling examination-related issues in the past.

Fresh spotlight on exam-day logistics

The incident has renewed concerns about the coordination between civic authorities and organisers of large public events on days when major competitive examinations are conducted.

While political parties continue to trade accusations, affected students and their families are demanding answers over how a crucial examination day turned into a stressful ordeal for many aspiring doctors.