Students appearing for their Class X and Class XII Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations as well as student organisations such as the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) held protests in the Capital against the leak of CBSE papers.
They called for the resignation of CBSE chairman Anita Karwal and accused the Board of negligence.
The NSUI protested at Udyog Bhawan and tried to march towards Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar’s residence but were stopped by the police. NSUI representatives were, however, taken to meet Mr. Javadekar.
Minister gives assurance
NSUI president Fairoz Khan said that he met the Minister and was assured that they would investigate the matter and take the strictest possible action against those responsible. The NSUI demanded that an inquiry into the leak should be conducted by retired judges and that the Minister should ensure a leak-proof mechanism to restore faith in the CBSE.
‘Other papers leaked’
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also met Mr. Javadekar and called for a re-examination across the country since the paper is the same and the leak may have been transmitted by digital means as well.
Students protesting outside the CBSE headquarters at Preet Vihar alleged that although the CBSE has admitted that two papers were leaked, they had proof that several other papers were also doing the rounds on WhatsApp before the start of the examination.
Several students said that because of the re-examination, they had to put on hold several travel plans as well as delay the preparation for several competitive examinations they were scheduled to start preparing for.
‘Playing with future’
Many said that they were being made to suffer due to a mistake by the CBSE and that the Board was playing with their future by announcing a re-examination.
In a petition to the CBSE to cancel the retest on the platform change.org, students have said, “We think that everyone should not be penalised for a handful of students’ atrocities. Many students have other plans for other events and some students’ families are looking to migrate from one place to another and have already begun their packing hence, it makes it impossible for them to write their exam.” The petition has already been signed by over 30,000 people.
Meanwhile, the All India Parents Association said it would file a petition in the Delhi HC on Monday seeking a court-monitored probe into the matter.
“The leaks have rocked the confidence of parents and students. Question is now being raised over the examination system being followed,” president of the association and lawyer Ashok Agarwal said.
