By Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: As the CBSE exam question paper leaks snowballed into a major political controversy and students are on the streets to oppose the re-examination, opposition Congress Friday attacked the Modi government on the issue alleging that “the mafia is controlling examination systems in the country”. The party said had the paper leaks happened during UPA rule, the outrage would have been far greater.”
Addressing a press conference here, former Human Resource and Development Minister Kapil Sibal slammed the BJP-led government over the question paper leaks, saying that had the leak happened under the UPA government, the outrage would have been far greater.
“Most surprising is that nobody is taking responsibility for these leaks. Had it been our government, you know what would have happened,” he said, adding that a government that could not protect a question paper leak had no right in claiming that they could protect the nation.
“Students are suffering across the country; education has become too costly for people,” he added.
He alleged that the government knew about the leaks much before the exam.
“CBSE chief knew eight hours before the exam, as the email with the leaked paper was circulated at 1.30 am.”
The CBSE paper leak is not the only leak. The SSC scam was another major concern and if the government does not take accountability for its wrongdoings, then who will, Sibal asked.
He said the present government did not take any step till date for eliminating the mafia which has been controlling many institutions.
I just got information from Bihar that a single question paper was avaible in Rs 25,000, he said.
The former HRD minister also attacked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying “he did not show any concern for more than two million students who would be forced to re-sit for the examination.
He said the PM has already “destroyed’’ parliamentary institution now he has been after judiciary and media.
However, there are many people in the media who are not bucking under the pressure and trying to keep the media independence afloat. he added.
Meanwhile, students continued their protest for the second day demanding cancellation of re-examination. They also staged protest before the headquarters of CBSE.
Delhi police continued its investigation into the matter and questioned 30 people, including students, teachers and private tutors. But it still did not crack the case.