‘Laughing at our problems’: NEET UG 2022 aspirants slam Dharmendra Pradhan for shunning deferment request

NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s negative response to demand of students to postpone National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2022 has left aspirants agitated. Candidates allegedly slammed the minister for comparing a national level exam with a monthly school exam and for “laughing at their problems". Pradhan was replying to a question asked during India Today’s education conclave on Tuesday.

The minister, when asked if NEET UG 2022 will be postponed and extended to September as “1.8 million are hanging to your words”, said that “students are always anxious”. Pointing out to school principals and educationists present during the conclave, he said, “They (students) face this problem every month. Every month there is an evaluation and examination. Students tell principals, madam, I had not prepared well, so please extend.”

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NEET UG 2022 aspirants have been campaigning on Twitter urging the National Testing Agency (NTA), Dharmendra Pradhan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the exam till September citing that there is less time to prepare and there was a delay in NEET UG 2021 counselling.

The All India Dental Students Association said on Twitter, "One Video of IndiaToday news where Dharmendra Pradhan sir on asking for postponement saying students ask for extra time before exam from principals. But sir we need to say it's not a school exam it's a career deciding one so kindly give relaxation till September.”

One Video of @IndiaToday news where @dpradhanbjp sir on asking for postponement saying students ask for extra time before exam from principles

But Sir we need to say it's not a, school exam it's, a carrier deciding one so kindly give relaxation till Sept #MODIJIextendNEETUG pic.twitter.com/3NZPn1haQT

— All India Students Dental Association/DENTODONTICS (@dentodontics) June 28, 2022

An aspirant said in a tweet, "Our education minister has made it clear in today's interview that NEET UG will not be postponed because students do not want NEET UG to be postponed, other political students are demanding postpone. Clap for him for his sense of humour."

Our education minister has made it clear in today's interview that NEET UG will not be postponed because students do not want NEET UG to be postponed, other political students are demanding postpone.
Clap for him for his sense of humour #MODIJIextendNEETUG @dpradhanbjp

— Vipin Kumar (@VipinKu64531839) June 28, 2022

Another aspirant tweeted, "@dpradhanbjp said NEET will not be postponed during an interview and was comparing NEET exam with monthly test in school. Such education minister we have. That's why students are suffering"

@dpradhanbjp said NEET will not be postponed during an interview and was comparing NEET exam with monthly test in school

Such education minister we have
That's why students are suffering #RemoveDharmendraPradhan

— Neha (@Nehaaaa____) June 28, 2022

A Twitter user said, "Our honourable education minister is comparing Neet UG with school tests and says exam will not be postponed We don't need this kind of education minister remove him."

Our honourable education minister is comparing Neet UG with school tests and says exam will not be postponed
We don't need this kind of education minister remove him #RemoveDharmendraPradhan @dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/RrO9pkPyVV

— ZHZ (@XainXahid3) June 28, 2022

"Dharmendra Pradhan clearly denied our request with laughing @IndiaToday anchor.Shame on you @dpradhanbjp for laughing on our problems. Praying to Lord Jagannath to do the same thing with you as he did to Mr Pokhriyal," said another Twitter user.

Dharmendra Pradhan clearly denied our request with laughing @IndiaToday
anchor. #RemoveDharmendraPradhan
Shame on you @dpradhanbjp
for laughing on our problems.

Praying to Lord Jagannath to do the same thing with you as he did to Mr Pokhriyal. #MODIJIextendNEETUG pic.twitter.com/AZdr0bKuRp

— हेमन्त प्रताप यादव (@Yaduvanshi_hem) June 28, 2022