Education – Kamal Haasan Criticises Examination System Amid NEET Controversy
Education –Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) president and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan has strongly criticised the country’s education system, saying recent examination controversies have exposed deep-rooted problems that require urgent attention. He argued that the concerns raised by students over competitive examinations should not be ignored and called for meaningful reforms to restore confidence in the system.
Haasan Raises Concerns Over Education Standards
Sharing his views on social media platform X, Haasan described the present education environment as deeply troubled, claiming that learning has increasingly taken a back seat to coaching culture. Referring to the ongoing debate surrounding the NEET examination, he said students have been forced to deal with uncertainty, stress and a system that no longer rewards genuine merit in the way it should.
According to Haasan, the country should have responded much earlier when students first voiced their concerns. Instead, he said, repeated incidents have weakened public trust. He remarked that when fear replaces curiosity in education and unfair practices begin to overshadow talent, it reflects a serious institutional failure. He also stated that students deserve answers rather than facing obstacles while seeking accountability.
Appeal to Sonam Wangchuk
In the same message, Haasan addressed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging him to bring his hunger strike to an end. He said Wangchuk’s voice and commitment would remain valuable for the country’s future and appealed to him to continue contributing through dialogue and public engagement.
Haasan also expressed solidarity with students across India, saying they had fulfilled their responsibilities by working hard and pursuing their education. He added that it was now the responsibility of the nation and its institutions to ensure fairness, transparency and justice for every student.
BJP Highlights Government Action
Reacting to Haasan’s criticism, BJP MP Medha Kulkarni defended the Union government’s response to the examination controversy. She said the Narendra Modi-led government has consistently treated education and the welfare of young people as a priority.
Kulkarni pointed to the Prime Minister’s announcement supporting the establishment of fast-track courts for cases related to examination paper leaks. She said the initiative demonstrates the government’s determination to ensure that individuals involved in such offences face strict legal consequences without unnecessary delays.
Government Says Strong Steps Have Been Taken
Speaking on the NEET-UG issue, Kulkarni maintained that law enforcement agencies had acted promptly against those accused in the paper leak investigation. She stated that the suspects had been arrested and would face legal proceedings under the law.
She further said that the authorities conducted the necessary re-examination process, after which the results were declared. According to Kulkarni, students who prepared sincerely were ultimately able to secure the results they deserved, restoring confidence among many candidates who had been affected by the controversy.
Debate Over Education Continues
The exchange between Kamal Haasan and the BJP reflects the continuing national discussion over the future of India’s examination system. Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities have intensified demands for stronger safeguards, greater transparency and improved accountability in competitive examinations.
While opposition leaders continue to question the effectiveness of the existing system, the government maintains that corrective measures are already being implemented. As the debate continues, education experts and students alike are expected to closely watch how future reforms address concerns related to fairness, credibility and equal opportunity in one of the country’s most important academic assessment processes.