An Open Letter to the Jantar Mantar protestors:
My dear young friends,
I address you today not as a politician or an MP, but as someone deeply troubled by what is happening to your generation of young Indians.
This is personal for me. I was born to a middle-class family: my father was a salaried newspaper employee, my mother a homemaker, with three children to educate on one income. For a family like ours, merit was not a slogan. Scholarships, fair examinations, honest results — these were the only way one salary could carry three children's dreams.
I went to school in Mumbai and Kolkata, to college here in Delhi, topped the University and earned admission into IIM — and chose instead to follow my passion for international affairs, in America, on a scholarship. Nothing was inherited; everything was earned by hard work and yes, Exams.
So I know that a fair, merit-based system is the only ladder for young people from lower and middle-income families to climb up. When that ladder is broken — papers leaked, examinations cancelled, trust destroyed — the children of the rich and powerful do not suffer. They have other ladders. It is your dreams, and your families' sacrifices (and tragically, in some homes, young lives themselves) that are betrayed.
To the young people gathered at Jantar Mantar, and those raising your voices peacefully across India: this country hears you. Your anger is not indiscipline — it is the anguish of a generation that did everything right and was still betrayed . You are not alone.
And to the millions of young Indians watching quietly: your generation is not a problem to be managed. You are the answer to India's future. Do not lose hope. This ladder will be rebuilt — by you, and by every Indian who stands with you.
To Shri Sonam Wangchuk-ji, my heartfelt appeal: please end your fast. You have awakened the conscience of the nation; that is what a fast is meant to do. India needs your voice for the long road ahead.
With Parliament in session again from Monday, we will have an opportunity to raise the students’ issues in the highest forum of our democracy. That’s where the problem should be addressed, not by fasting unto death. Please heed my plea.
And finally, to the Government: I respectfully urge you to reach out and engage in the dialogue our democracy owes its young citizens. That is not weakness; that is statesmanship.
Let us all rise together against the govt's decision & #SpeakUpForStudentSafety we want the govt to listen to the voice of the students.: @SanjaySDutt
The decision to conduct NEET and JEE examinations in the Corona epidemic is putting students at risk of corona. The mental stress of students is increasing; Hear the voice of the student power and decide
#SpeakUpForStudentSafety
Our demands are simple, listen to the students before taking a decision. In a democracy every voice is equally important.
We stand with India's students.
#SpeakUpForStudentSafety
In the NEET and JEE exam matter today, are students like Draupadi being disrobed? CMs can play the role of Krishna. All my experience as a student and then Professor for 60 years tells me something wrong has been scheduled. I feel like Vidura.
Glimpses from Havan today, at sector-35 Congress Bhawan organized by NSUI Chandigarh team. We prayed to the almighty to give some sense to the government which is hell bent on putting the lives of millions of children into danger.
#AntiStudentModiGovt#AntiStudentNarendraModi
IIT Delhi Director says delay in holding NEET/JEE exams will seriously hurt studies. But Lockdown has seriously hurt the economy therefore was PM wrong in imposing it? Even today there is lockout in many states.
NEET-JEE aspirants are worried about their health & future.
They have genuine concerns of:
- fear of Covid19 infection
- transport & lodging during pandemic
- flood-mayhem in Assam & Bihar.
GOI must listen to all stakeholders & find an acceptable solution.
#AntiStudentModiGovt
Every single day, the No.1 Twitter Trend is about postponing JEE-NEET Exams
And still the Govt is so full of ego that they are unwilling to listen #AntiStudentModiGovt
You don't deserve any respect now https://t.co/OkfZ9jcifO At least you could have tweeted something on this matter and addressed the students . But the fact is that you have tweeted about everything except this . #IndiaHates_NarendraModi#MODIJI_HELPJEENEET@Swamy39@narendramodi
I think a vaccine is round the corner and expected in a few months. Maybe the NEET and JEE could be postponed until then and see the situation in early 2021.
Entrance exams cause enough anxiety anyway, adding Covid anxiety to it is not necessary.
We received another MP support. Thanks @akhileshPdsingh ji for standing up with the students of India.
What about other MPs? Tell your MPs to write the same.
Plz keep tweeting #MODIJI_POSTPONEJEENEET.
✊🏻🙏🏻
With so many State Governments calling for postponement of NEET/JEE examination, and even Allen Coaching also, why the Ministry of Education being so obstinate ? PM Modi must take a call and order the postponement—now
It would be unsafe for students to visit test centres physically amid #COVID19 for JEE (Main) & NEET tests. Therefore, it is requested that exams scheduled to be held in September may be postponed to a later date: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in a letter to Union Education Minister