The Congress on Friday held protests across the country and online against the government’s decision to conduct NEET and JEE examinations from September 1, alleging that it would put millions of students and their families at the risk of getting infected at a time Covid cases were rising sharply.

While the Youth Congress held demonstrations in the national capital and several major cities, most senior leaders joined a campaign on social media with the hashtag “SpeakUpForStudentsSafety”. Members of Congress students’ wing NSUI are organising a hunger strike at their he-adquarters to press for the demand to postpone the exams.

Referring to the distress that the government’s decision had caused to the millions of students and their families, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a statement: “You are our future. We depend on you to build a better India. Therefore, if any decision has to be taken regarding your future, it is important that the decision is taken with your concurrence. I hope the government listens to you and acts upon your wishes. This is my advice to the government.”

Rahul Gandhi said: “Everybody understands what has happened in the past three-four months, the devastation it has caused. The economic destruction, the pain this country had to bear. I don’t understand why you (students) should be held responsible, why further pain should be imposed on you.

“I can clearly see the government has been incompetent. But why should the government force anything on you? The government should listen to you. The decision should be made after a conversation, on the basis of a consensus.”

Youth Congress president B.V. Srinivas, who along with many other workers was detained by Delhi police for holding demonstrations, said: “The home minister of India, several chief ministers, governors are infected with the coronavirus. Does this government think students are corona-proof? When so many other exams have been put off, why not JEE-NEET?”

A large number of Congress leaders posted video messages asking whether the lives of students were less precious than MPs as Parliament had not been convened for months.

Congress leaders recalled the plight of millions of migrant workers who had braved police atrocities and hunger to return home, alleging that similar mismanagement was being demonstrated in the case of students now.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “The travel of 25 lakh students from villages and small towns at a time when the transport system is functioning barely at 35 to 40 per cent is difficult. Where will they stay? In Bihar, for example, only two of the 38 districts have exam centres for NEET and seven districts for JEE. Apart from logistical issues, there are psychological issues caused by the lockdown. What will happen if the students get infected? Apart from inefficiency, this is a government of apathy and arrogance.”