A sharp political row broke out on Monday, 22 June after severe traffic congestion in Bengaluru allegedly disrupted the commute of several NEET UG re-test candidates, with at least three students reportedly missing the examination altogether. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Karnataka government of placing political interests above students' welfare, while Congress leaders expressed regret but pushed back against the allegations.

What Triggered the Row

The controversy stems from reports that a Congress rally held in Bengaluru on the day of the re-test triggered traffic snarls across parts of the city. The NEET UG re-test — conducted more than a month after the original examination was cancelled amid allegations of a paper leak — saw around 22 lakh candidates appear nationwide. The examination began at 2 PM, with candidates required to report at least two-and-a-half hours in advance. As congestion intensified, anxious parents and students were seen navigating packed roads; some parents reportedly rode two-wheelers on footpaths in desperate attempts to reach examination centres before the reporting deadline.

BJP's Attack

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised the Congress, alleging the party had failed to protect students' interests. 'As we learned through media reports, several candidates were unable to appear for the examination because of a rally organised by the Karnataka Congress president. On the other hand, Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, visited Kota just 48 hours before the examination and attempted to divert students' attention,' Trivedi said.

He further questioned the state government's advance planning. 'They knew the timing of the examination and could have planned better or altered the schedule of the rally. One thing is clear from this incident: for the Congress, politics is important, while students' interests come much lower on the priority list. Parents of NEET aspirants are demanding answers directly from Rahul Gandhi. This is not merely a question from a few affected families; it is a question from the nation, and he cannot avoid responding to it,' he added.

Karnataka Government's Response

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge defended the state's handling of the situation, citing Bengaluru's well-documented mobility challenges. 'Bengaluru has always faced mobility issues. That is a known fact. We had issued a detailed traffic advisory in advance. There was also a dedicated helpline for assistance. Thousands of students appeared for the examination successfully. Yes, even one student missing the exam is unfortunate, and we are sympathetic. However, can the government be held responsible if a student carries the wrong hall ticket or takes the wrong route? If anyone wants to play politics over this issue, we are prepared for that as well,' Kharge said.

He also noted that NEET guidelines clearly specify that examination centre gates open at 11 AM and that candidates must report well before the prescribed deadline. 'The standard operating procedures are very clear. Candidates are informed well in advance that they must reach the examination centre at least two-and-a-half hours before the exam,' he added.

Congress Expresses Regret, Deflects Blame

Senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad expressed regret over the hardships faced by students but rejected the claim that the Congress rally was solely responsible. 'I have seen media reports suggesting that some students faced hardship before reaching their examination centres. If any of our children have suffered because of this, I deeply regret it. However, a very large number of students appeared for the examination. In Karnataka and Kalaburagi alone, more than a thousand students were absent. Similar situations occurred in Mangaluru, where there was no Congress programme. According to reports, only a few students were directly affected by this issue,' he said.

Hariprasad also argued that the BJP was attempting to politicise the matter while sidestepping broader systemic concerns. 'The Centre conducts NEET through the concerned ministry and should ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place. Questions must also be asked about repeated allegations of question paper leaks and the distress faced by students,' he remarked.

Broader Context

This incident comes amid an already fraught atmosphere around the NEET UG examination system, which has faced persistent allegations of paper leaks and administrative lapses. The re-test itself was a consequence of the cancellation of the original exam, making disruptions to any candidate's access to the centre particularly consequential. Notably, absences were recorded across multiple cities in Karnataka — including Mangaluru, where no Congress event was reported — suggesting that the traffic disruption in Bengaluru was one of several contributing factors to the overall absentee count. How the Centre and state governments coordinate examination logistics in high-stakes national tests is likely to face renewed scrutiny in the days ahead.