Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the growing menace of examination paper leaks across the country, calling it a systemic failure that threatens the future of millions of students.
He urged for a united political response to tackle the crisis, which has affected students in at least six states.
Taking to social media platform X on Thursday, Gandhi likened the situation to the mythological Padmavyuh, a complex military formation from the Mahabharata, which traps those who enter it.
He suggested that students and their families are similarly ensnared in an unjust system where their hard work is often undermined.
He further drew a symbolic connection between the Padmavyuh and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s lotus symbol, implying that the examination crisis resembles this deceptive and challenging structure.
The future of 85 lakh students in six states is at risk. Paper leaks have become the most dangerous Padmavyuh for our youth, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha posted in Hindi.
Gandhi highlighted that repeated paper leaks not only push students into uncertainty and stress but also create an environment where dishonesty seems to triumph over merit.
It sends the wrong message to the next generation—that dishonesty is more rewarding than hard work. This is unacceptable, he added.
Referring to last year’s NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, which led to nationwide outrage, Gandhi criticised the government for failing to take effective action. He accused the Modi government of introducing a new law as a quick fix, which he claimed has failed to prevent further leaks.
After our protest, the Modi government hid behind a new law, calling it a solution. But the continued leaks prove that the system remains broken, he remarked.
Stressing the need for urgent action, Gandhi called for a collaborative approach, urging all political parties to set aside their differences and work towards securing the integrity of examinations.
This serious issue is a systemic failure. It can only be eradicated when all political parties and governments unite to take decisive action. Protecting the dignity of these examinations is the right of our children, and it must be upheld at all costs, he said.
The problem of paper leaks has been a persistent issue in India, affecting key national and state-level competitive exams such as NEET, UGC-NET, and state recruitment tests.
Reports indicate that organised groups have been involved in leaking question papers, distributing them electronically and selling them to candidates for large sums of money.
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