The incident in Visakhapatnam involving students allegedly missing their JEE (Mains) exam due to traffic disruptions from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s convoy has triggered sharp public concern and political debate, even as police and government statements attempt to defuse the blame.
At the heart of the controversy is the heartbreak of over 20 students who, despite months of preparation, were reportedly denied entry to the exam centre for arriving after the 8 am gate closure time. Their parents, visibly distraught, gathered outside the centre in protest, with many blaming the delay on road closures linked to the Deputy CM's convoy movement. Videos and posts quickly surfaced on social media, amplifying public anger and drawing attention to the fragility of access to high-stakes exams like JEE.
However, the Visakhapatnam City Police swiftly issued a clarification denying any connection between the convoy and the students’ delay. They stated that:
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Students were required to report by 7 am and entry was closed strictly by 8 am.
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The Deputy CM’s convoy only passed the area at 8:41 am—after gate closure.
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Traffic on key roads remained open and unaffected until 8:30 am to allow for candidate movement.
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Absentee figures were actually lower on Monday (61) than on previous days (81, 65, 76), which contradicts the idea of unusually high disruptions.
While this data-driven rebuttal seems to absolve the convoy from direct responsibility, the optics of the situation remain politically sensitive. In an apparent move to avoid further fallout, the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and ordered an inquiry into the matter. The DyCMO reiterated that Pawan Kalyan has consistently instructed officials to avoid causing public inconvenience, and emphasized that the coalition government has agreed to reduce use of sirens and limit disruptions during VVIP movement.
Key takeaways from this incident:
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For students and parents, the emotional toll of missing a life-defining exam like JEE—whether due to traffic or timing confusion—is real and valid.
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For the administration, it’s a reminder that even the perception of political privilege disrupting public life can spark backlash, especially when it intersects with something as crucial as national-level exams.
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For political leadership, the situation underscores the need for extreme caution and transparency around convoy movements, especially during critical public events like exams or medical emergencies.
Even though the police explanation suggests the convoy may not have been directly responsible, the incident exposes how easily such events can escalate if public trust and empathy aren't prioritized. The Deputy CM’s prompt call for a probe may help cool tensions, but for those affected students, the opportunity lost can’t be undone—and that’s what stings the most.
