The opposition has strongly criticized the government’s action on the paper leak. Karti Chidambaram described the fast-track court as just punishment, while Pramod Tiwari demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. RJD and CJP also surrounded the government.
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Friday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of setting up fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases. He described the measure as a punishment that fails to effectively stop paper leaks in the country. Speaking to ANI, Chidambaram also described the measure as a “post-fact action” and alleged that the government is still not clear on prevention of systematic paper leaks before the examinations.
He said, “These are all post-fact actions; the government is still not clear on how it is going to stop the systematic leaks. This fast-track court action against people allegedly linked to the leaks is after everything has happened. It does not stop the leaks. Obviously, there are loopholes in the supply chain of exam papers. What is the government doing to fix that? How are they strengthening that ecosystem to ensure that there are no leaks?” Because there is a huge tuition and preparation course industry, earning lakhs of crores of rupees.”
Allegation of collusion with coaching centers
Alleging nexus between paper setters and coaching centres, he claimed the government has no answers on the lack of “honesty” in the examinations. “They are in deep nexus with those conducting the examinations. There is a financial incentive for them to carry out these leaks so that their favorite students, who are paying them huge fees or perhaps a little more than the prescribed fees, can access these examination papers. So there is a lack of integrity in these examinations. The government should explain how it will restore integrity. Having fast-track courts is a post-fact action. It is a punishment. In India, we have fast-track courts for many things. What Has it ever been a deterrent to anything? A fast-track court is not the solution,” said Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.
Opposition’s question on removal of Education Secretary
Following Karti Chidambaram’s comments on the Prime Minister’s announcement, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticized the removal of Higher Education Department Secretary Vineet Joshi. Questioning the logic behind the decision, Tiwari questioned how the political chief could continue in office after the administrative chief was removed from his post over the NEET-UG paper leak. “One thing does not make sense logically, you removed the administrative head, but how can the minister, who is the political head, function in his post? When the Education Secretary was removed, how is Dharmendra Pradhan still the Education Minister? Either Prime Minister Modi’s file has been suppressed, or there was some disturbance during the tenure of the Petroleum Minister, or Prime Minister Modi’s ego is so big that he is refusing to take action just because millions of people all over India are demanding it. Remember, Ravan’s ego Neither has survived, nor will this government survive,” said Pramod Tiwari.
Additionally, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s midnight video message promising strict action against the paper leak. Speaking to ANI, Jha questioned the purpose of parliamentary proceedings, and asked what is the importance of the House if the proceedings go against the aspirations of the youth. “…If we go against the youth and do something. What are their aspirations?… What is the point of the House without this? A House that lacks empathy and seriousness. Will those children, those youth, those families forgive those who have suffered such deaths?…,” Jha said.
Cabinet approved amendment in the law
Meanwhile, amid nationwide protests over the NEET exam paper leak, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The proposed amendment bill is likely to be taken up for consideration and passing in Parliament on Monday (July 27). The decision comes in the backdrop of sustained protests by students and opposition parties demanding accountability, a comprehensive investigation into the paper leak and stronger security measures to protect the integrity of public examinations. The protests began at Jantar Mantar on 6 June and ended with the “Sansad Chalo” march on 20 July, in which protesters pushed for systemic reforms in the examination process.
Earlier in the day, representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) met Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to discuss their demands related to the ongoing agitation. After the meeting, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) claimed that the government has sought time till Saturday afternoon to deliberate on their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “The government has sought time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. We hope the government will remove him soon,” said CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka. (ANI)
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