MNS chief Raj Thackeray has demanded the complete cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) following the recent paper leak controversy and alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination process.
In a strongly worded social media post, Thackeray accused the Central government of repeatedly creating confusion and putting lakhs of students and their families under immense stress due to failures in the examination system. He questioned the credibility and fairness of the NEET process after reports of paper leaks and malpractice surfaced across several states.
Thackeray alleged that the paper leak network had links in Maharashtra and claimed that expensive coaching institutes were playing a major role in manipulating the system. He also criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Centre for cancelling the examination only after the controversy escalated nationwide.
The MNS chief reiterated his long-standing opposition to NEET, arguing that the centralized examination system disadvantages students from states like Maharashtra while benefiting large coaching networks. He claimed that students from economically weaker backgrounds suffer the most under such a system.
Thackeray also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for repeated controversies surrounding national entrance examinations.
Appealing to the Maharashtra government, he urged state ministers to take a firm stand against NEET and support demands raised by several southern states seeking reforms or cancellation of the examination system.