Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara writes to Modi seeking replacement of NEET with State CETs

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to roll back NEET and restore transparent, merit-based State CETs (Common Entrance Test) for medical admissions, respecting India’s federal structure.In the letter, the copies of which were released to the press on Thursday (July 23), the Deputy Chief Minister has also appealed to the Prime Minister to provide a compensation of at least ₹1 crore to the families of students who ended their lives owing to the NEET paper leak and the “systemic failures” that followed.

He urged the Prime Minister to provide adequate compensation to all students and citizens who suffered injuries due to the lathi-charge and use of tear gas during the protests.Dr. Parameshwara further appealed to the Prime Minister to initiate a meaningful dialogue with students, educators, academic institutions and all stakeholders to undertake comprehensive reforms besides ordering an impartial inquiry and taking strict action against those responsible for the lathi-charge and use of tear gas against peacefully protesting students.

He said, “The shocking part has been the response to these voices of concern. Images of students being subjected to lathi-charges, tear gas, and forcible dispersal while peacefully expressing their anxiety have caused immense pain to citizens across the nation. A democracy must never fear the voices of its young people.

Their questions deserve answers, not barricades; their concerns deserve engagement, not suppression.”Dr. Parameshwara said that the handling of the peaceful hunger strike undertaken by Sonam Wangchuk has further reinforced the perception that dissent is increasingly being viewed as an inconvenience rather than an essential component of democratic discourse.

“There is growing concern among students, parents, educators and employers about the declining credibility of competitive examinations and the overall quality of higher education. These concerns deserve urgent national attention. Every paper leak, every institutional failure, and every unanswered question erodes confidence in India’s educational ecosystem and weakens our global standing,” he said.

Published - July 23, 2026 09:33 pm IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove