Congress Criticizes Modi Government Over Odisha Exam Paper Leak

Congress Raises Concerns Over Exam Paper Leak in Odisha

The Congress party has targeted the Narendra Modi administration following reports of a postgraduate exam paper allegedly being circulated on WhatsApp in Odisha. On Friday, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasized that merely imposing strict penalties or designating courts as 'fast-track' is insufficient to address the issue of paper leaks. He stated that there is a pressing need for a 'comprehensive and honest dialogue' regarding the commercialization and corruption within the education system.

In a post on 'X', Ramesh reiterated Congress's stance from 2024, asserting that the approach to tackle the problem of exam paper leaks should extend beyond just harsher punishments or expedited court processes. He remarked, 'While the Prime Minister is busy honing his skills in creating reels, the Modi government is hastily passing superficial laws for fast-track special courts through Parliament, even as another exam paper leak emerges, this time from Odisha, the home state of former Education Minister Pradhan.'

Ramesh claimed that the postgraduate exam paper from Odisha University of Health Sciences was found circulating on WhatsApp during the exam on July 27. He reiterated that simply increasing penalties and fast-tracking courts will not resolve the issue. He stressed the necessity for a more substantial and sincere conversation about the commercialization and corruption in the education sector. 'This was the spirit of the student movement, which the Modi government should honor,' he added.

Ramesh's comments come at a time when the opposition is aggressively questioning the government in the current monsoon session of Parliament regarding the paper leak and alleged irregularities in examinations.