Amid rising tensions in West Bengal’s education sector, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar has thrown down the gauntlet to the National Testing Agency, demanding a full postponement of JEE Main exams in the state. The plea, rooted in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, underscores a broader crisis where natural disasters collide with unforgiving academic calendars.
In a strongly worded letter to NTA Director Subodh Kumar Singh, Majumdar outlined the multifaceted challenges: prolonged blackouts crippling online learning, damaged school infrastructures serving as exam venues, and transportation breakdowns isolating rural aspirants. ‘This is not a routine request; it’s a cry for justice,’ he emphasized during a virtual town hall with students.
Data from the state board reveals that 60% of JEE coaching centers in cyclone-hit areas remain partially operational. Aspirants from North 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman districts, among the worst affected, have shared harrowing accounts of studying by candlelight and missing live classes. Majumdar rallied support from 12 BJP MLAs, promising to escalate the matter to Parliament if ignored.
The political undercurrent is palpable, with the BJP positioning itself as the students’ champion against the Mamata Banerjee government’s alleged mismanagement. TMC leaders counter that relief efforts are on track, dismissing the demand as electioneering ahead of bypolls.
Historically, such appeals have met mixed fates. The 2020 COVID postponements set a benchmark, yet recent floods saw no reprieve. Experts advocate for a hybrid model—regional deferrals without nationwide shifts—to address localized crises.
As petitions flood NTA helplines, the agency faces a dilemma: uphold uniformity or prioritize equity? Student delegations plan a march to Nabanna tomorrow, signaling escalating protests. Majumdar’s bold stance may catalyze change, reminding policymakers that education’s true test lies beyond exam halls—in resilience and fairness.