Congress Rallies Against Exam Paper Leaks in Arunachal Pradesh and Beyond
Nationwide Campaign Against Examination Irregularities
INC unit in Nagaland questioning centre's accountability over paper leaks while supporting student backed protests (Photo: INCNagaland/Meta)
ITANAGAR/GANGTOK/KOHIMA, July 21: The Congress party in Arunachal Pradesh has expressed its support for the nationwide 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative, which protests against the recurring issue of examination paper leaks. They accuse the central government of jeopardizing the futures of students and young people across India.
Johny Yangfo, spokesperson for the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), stated that the ongoing leaks have created a climate of uncertainty for students, questioning the government's management of the education sector.
He emphasized that these leaks have detrimental effects on the aspirations of countless candidates and called for immediate reforms to restore faith in the examination system. The campaign, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, aims to connect with students and address their grievances.
Yangfo highlighted the campaign's goal of raising awareness about youth-related issues and demanding greater accountability from the government.
He criticized the government for its inability to tackle the persistent problem of paper leaks, asserting that students continue to suffer due to systemic failures. Yangfo also pointed fingers at the Union education ministry, claiming that without corrective actions, such incidents will persist.
Additionally, he mentioned the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk, accusing the government of stifling dissent rather than addressing public concerns.
Yangfo noted that protests against the government's alleged shortcomings have garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.
He expressed alarm over reports of students resorting to extreme measures due to examination-related stress and urged the government to heed the voices of the youth and take decisive actions to protect their futures. On the same day, thousands of young people participated in a rally supporting Wangchuk, demanding strict action against the examination paper leak scandals and advocating for transparency and accountability in competitive exams.
The rally, organized by a youth group, commenced at Akashdeep, a well-known commercial area, and concluded at IG Park, approximately 2 kilometers away. Participants carried placards and chanted slogans in support of Wangchuk.
Protesters claimed that the ongoing incidents of leaked examination papers have severely damaged the credibility of competitive exams and eroded the confidence of students and job seekers who dedicate years to their preparation.
As the procession moved through the capital, participants called on authorities to ensure that examinations are conducted fairly and transparently, insisting that merit should not be compromised by corruption or malpractice.
The rally wrapped up peacefully at IG Park, where protesters reaffirmed their support for Wangchuk's campaign and pledged to continue their efforts until tangible measures are implemented to uphold the integrity of competitive examinations.
In Gangtok, the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) also held a demonstration at Namchi Central Park in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The SDF's Namchi district committee stated that the medical entrance test paper leak has significantly undermined the credibility of one of the nation's most competitive examinations, adversely affecting thousands of students who have invested years in preparation.
In their statement, the SDF expressed unwavering support for students and youth who participated in the Parliament march, demanding a transparent and accountable examination system.
The party condemned the reported use of tear gas and lathi-charge against protesters in Delhi, alleging that such actions were intended to suppress students exercising their democratic rights to demand accountability.
The SDF called on the central government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged paper leak, hold those responsible accountable, and restore public trust in the examination system.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Congress unit reiterated its commitment to the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, vowing to continue until justice is served for affected students.
Khriedi Theunuo, working president of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), addressed reporters at Congress Bhavan, accusing the government of failing to uphold the integrity of the education and recruitment systems. He stated that party members would work to raise public awareness about this issue in Nagaland.
The Congress party is determined to expose the failures within the education and examination systems until justice is achieved, he added.
The 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, initiated by the Indian Youth Congress and the National Students’ Union of India, was launched by Rahul Gandhi on June 17 in Kota, Rajasthan.