New Delhi, January 10 | A group of students on Monday approached the Delhi High Court, claiming that AYUSH courses cannot come under the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) as the exam is limited to modern scientific medicine and does not include traditional medicine courses.
Seeking the stand of the Center and the National Testing Agency in this regard, a division bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice on a petition filed by six AYUSH candidates.
Further, the court said that it will hear the matter on March 30 along with another petition filed by a group of allopathic doctors who have moved the court against allowing AYUSH practitioners to perform certain surgeries. It also asked the Centre’s counsel Monica Arora to give details of the plea of allopathic doctors.
During the hearing, the court also said that there is double standard in the petition. “On the one hand, you are saying on the one hand that you are competitive. But when asked to appear in NEET, you are saying that we are not.
In the petition of AYUSH candidates, it was argued that their courses operate differently and are fundamentally different from medical institutions that offer degrees, diplomas or licenses in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, or Homeopathy medicines.
He also said that the Common Entrance Test has not been structured keeping in mind the eligibility criteria for admission to AYUSH courses.
Claiming that NEET for AYUSH courses is in violation of Article 14, which provides for equality before the law or equal protection of laws, the candidates said that they are not against the entrance examination system, but for taking admission in AYUSH courses. For NEET are against- Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa Rigpa.
Source: IANS