In updates pertaining to Kerala Exams, the Supreme Court halted the class 11 exams while calling the COVID-19 situation in state ‘alarming’. The court issued an interim pause of 1 week for the Kerala class 11 exams which were scheduled to begin from September 5, 2021. The Supreme Court’s comment on the pandemic comes at a time when the states across the nation are once again registering a higher number of daily active COVID-19 cases.
Details
Once again, the dark cloud of the dangerous COVID-19 pandemic has started looming over the nation. What started off in 2020, and showed its devastating colours in 2021, is now again on its rise. Meanwhile, Centre has been regularly pushing advisories, asking people to not throw caution out of the window as the threat of the dangerous COVID-19 virus is still very much prevalent.
However, on the other hand, Kerala, which is accounting to more than 70% of the overall cases in the country, has been slammed by the Supreme Court for continuing with its decision to hold physical exam for class 11 students.
The Facts of the Matter
On September 3, the Supreme Court officially put a stay on the state’s class 11 exams scheduled to take place on September 5. The official word came from the bench of Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice C.T. Ravikumar who observed that the state of Kerala has been registering 70% of the country’s daily active cases. The bench further asked whether the state government has taken into consideration the above fact while going ahead with the decision to conduct the exam.
‘Children of Tender Age Can’t Be Exposed’
“There is alarming situation in Kerala. It accounts for more than 70% cases of the country, with around 30,000 daily cases. Children of tender age can’t be exposed to risk,” the bench observed. “We find force in submission made by petitioner that the state government has not seriously considered the prevailing situation before having physical exam proposed to be conducted in September this year,” it further noted.
Also Read: ‘Targeted Hate’: Rang De Basanti Actor Siddharth Mourned by Netizens Instead of Sidharth Shukla
Kerala Govt’s Argument in Supreme Court
To this, Advocate C.K. Sasi, appearing for the Kerala Government, argued that the state Class 12 exams were conducted successfully in April this year with as many as 4 lakhs students appearing. Advocate Sasi further claimed that several entrance examinations were also successfully held in July this year and that the government has been mindful in taking safety protocols.
The Supreme Court responded by asking whether the government has taken into consideration the changes in the situation after April 2021. Further, Justice Hrishikesh Roy gave reference to his own former position of being a Kerala Chief Justice and claimed that even though he knew that the state has one of the best medical infrastructures in the nation, it has been unable to curb the spread of the virus.
“Assure Us That No Student Will Be Infected”: SC Asks Kerala
Further, the Supreme Court bench also asked the state’s counsel whether an assurance can be made that not a single student will be infected by COVID-19 virus. “Assure us that no student will be infected. These are children of tender age. Even one case reported for a student, we will hold you accountable”, Justice Khanwilkar was quoted saying.
Also Read: Samosas with Serial Number! The Secret of Serial Numbered Samosas Revealed After Getting Viral
The Final Verdict
When advocate Sasi stated that he can’t give such an assurance, the Supreme Court passed an interim order. “As we couldn’t get satisfactory response from counsel for state in this regard, we grant interim relief staying offline exam for till next date of hearing. List this matter on 13 September”, the court noted.
The Grim COVID-19 Situation in Kerala
Kerala has recently emerged as another epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The state’s cumulative case count has already crossed 41 lakhs with over 32,000 fresh cases coming on Thursday, September 2.
These cases accounted for about 70% of the country’s total daily cases reported.
