A controversy broke out in Visakhapatnam on Monday morning after more than 20 students reportedly missed their JEE (Main) exam. The students were stuck in traffic caused by the convoy of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, which delayed them from reaching the exam centre on time.

The incident took place near the Ayan Digital exam centre in Pendurthi. As many as 23 students were denied entry for arriving late. Their parents gathered outside the centre, heartbroken and angry over what had happened.

“Our children studied day and night for this exam. They lost their chance not because of any fault of theirs, but due to reasons beyond their control,” said a worried parent.

Many on social media also expressed concern, asking authorities to take such important exams into consideration before planning VIP movements. The issue has sparked a debate on student rights and the need for better coordination during exams.

The Visakhapatnam City Police (VCP) issued a detailed statement denying the allegations that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s convoy caused students to miss their JEE (Main) exam.

The police clarified that students were supposed to report by 7 am, and the exam centre gates closed at 8 am sharp. They stated that Pawan Kalyan’s convoy passed through the area at 8:41 am, which was after the gates had already closed.

“This clearly shows that the Deputy CM’s convoy had nothing to do with the students arriving late,” the statement said.

The police also shared data showing that 61 students were absent on Monday, fewer than on previous days (81, 65, and 76). They added that there were no traffic restrictions before 8:30 am on the main and service roads near the exam centre, and efforts were made to ensure smooth traffic for exam candidates.

Pawan Kalyan orders probe

After reports that some students missed their JEE (Mains) exam in Visakhapatnam due to traffic delays allegedly caused by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s convoy, his office has taken the matter seriously. In a statement, the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office (DyCMO) said Pawan Kalyan has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He asked for a full report on the traffic situation, including how long the convoy was on the road and if it affected student routes to the exam centre.

“The Deputy CM has always instructed officials to avoid causing problems for the public during his visits,” the statement said. “The same directions were followed during this trip too.”

The DyCMO also asked the Visakhapatnam Police to look into whether any traffic control steps made it difficult for students to reach the centre. The statement added that both the Chief Minister and Deputy CM have agreed to avoid using sirens and make sure their movements don’t cause trouble for the people.