#CancelBoardExams2021: Fresh demands after Ramesh Pokhriyal admitted to AIIMS

Students wished the Union education minister of India who has post-COVID complications a speedy recovery tagged it with #CancelExamsSaveStudents.

NEW DELHI: The news of Union education minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ being admitted in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS Delhi) with “post-COVID complications” has sparked fresh online protests against the CBSE Class 12 exam on Tuesday.

Students across the country are requesting the education minister to consider the gravity of COVID-19 emergency in India and cancel the offline examination. While wishing Ramesh Pokhriyal a speedy recovery, the many students on social media are pointing out the consequences of COVID-19 if they are compelled to write offline exams.

Several others highlighted the lack of privilege and resources available at the disposal of students unlike the union minister. “ Now it is high time to make a decision. We cannot afford to get admitted to AIIMS. You should understand that if a big minister like you can get [infected with] COVID even after utmost safety then what will happen to us?” asked a student.

Wishing him good health another student wrote: “Hope you realise the severity of the virus and take a wise decision, not exposing millions of students, teachers and their families to the virus.”

Several others pointed out that the minister suffered post-COVID complications despite having all safety measures and COVID-19 vaccines. “Think you are not able to keep yourself safe in your virtual meetings and claiming for our safety in offline exams! Understand sir, you are lucky enough to get AIIMS attention in these tough times but we are not,” wrote another student.

In April, the education minister had announced that a review meeting will be held on conducting ISC, CBSE Class 12 board exams on June 1. The Supreme Court is hearing public interest litigation (PIL) demanding the cancellation of CBSE and ICSE Class 12 board exams. The hearing has been adjourned to Thursday, June 3. By then, the Union Government is supposed to arrive at a decision. Earlier, the CBSE had proposed two formats in which the Class 12 board exams could be held -- both required students to appear for pen-and-paper exams in schools.

A student wrote on Twitter: “Even after having such a good protection and vaccination, you have some post-covid complications. Sir, think about...how we will be safe.”

#RameshPokhriyalNishank blessings for your speedy recovery. So even after having such a good protection and vaccination, you have some post-covid complication sir think about it how we will be safe .#GetWellSoon #cancelboardexams2021

— Janhavi (@Janhavi26986239) June 1, 2021

Another wrote: “Sir, We don't have these VIP facilities ...Hope for your speedy recovery and a good decision”

Sir we don't have this VIP facilities and we are not rich like you. It is really difficult for a middle class family to get good treatment please think about it . Hope for your speedy recovery and a good decision #CancelExamsSaveStudents#RameshPokhriyalNishank @DrRPNishank pic.twitter.com/XwieAMA3W4

— Satvik Agrawal (@SatvikAgrawal07) June 1, 2021

Another wrote: “Now u are postponing decision for the fact you are not in a condition to take it because obviously health is priority then why does the same rule ...not applicable [to] us!” However, the Union Government’s seeking two more days to take final decision on CBSE Class 12 exams may not have had anything to do with Ramesh Pokhriyal’s health condition which, according to the education ministry, is now “stable”.

Firstly u guys had postponed paper and now u are postponing decision for the fact u are not in a condition to take it because obviously health is priority then why does the same rule is not applicable on us!!
Still wish u a speedy recovery 💌#RameshPokhriyalNishank pic.twitter.com/Zl6rBfSBRZ

— Nancy (@Nancy76206998) June 1, 2021

“They got positive only from online meetings and are forcing us for offline exams,” said another post, half angry, half-joking. There is, of course, no information on how Pokhriyal contracted the virus as there isn’t for most people who caught it in the second wave of the pandemic.

Education minister mr. ramesh pokhriyal nishank has tested positive for covid-19. They got positive only from online meetings and are forcing us for offline exams. Now use some brain and cancel the exams. #cancelboardexams @DrRPNishank @PMOIndia @ChouhanShivraj @Indersinghsjp

— Pratham Vaidhya (@tinmyaa) June 1, 2021

More posts echoed him.

#CancelAllBoardExams
They conduct their meeting online for their own safety.....And are wishing for our offline exam...
Shame on you #RameshPokhriyalNishank pic.twitter.com/qktEmDqTY9

— Dev (@Dev58768416) May 24, 2021

“They conduct their meeting online for their own safety.....And are wishing for our offline exam,” said another.

HRD minister themselves are not safe. And they assure us to conduct the exams in a safe manner. How can we believe that exams are conduct safely...#RameshPokhriyalNishank

— Anuratan Tripathi (@AnuratanTripat5) June 1, 2021

Students also hoped the minister’s own health struggles would push him to cancel offline exams to protect students.

I hope now he understands the importance of not conducting exams offline. covid hi nahi post covid symptoms bhi insaan ko kamzor bnadete hai #RameshPokhriyalNishank #SaveLives #cancelboardexam2021 #cancelboardexam https://t.co/0O2MHPPmJw

— Dhriti Nayyar (@NayyarDhriti) June 1, 2021

Joining the students, Supreme Court advocate Mamta Sharma who filed the PIL against holding exams wrote: “Wishing for his speedy recovery. Hopefully our Education Minister will realise that exposing millions of students and their families to deadly virus is not a wise decision.”

Wishing for his speedy recovery. Hopefully our Education Minister will realise that exposing millions of students and their families to deadly virus is not a wise decision. #COVID19 #SaveLives #cancelboardexams2021 https://t.co/dhGz3vezid

— Mamta Sharma (@AdvMamtaSharma) June 1, 2021

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