Dehradun: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said on Friday that at least 152 examination papers have been leaked in the last 10 years, affecting about 7.5 crore candidates, and that convictions in such cases remain “zero”.
Addressing students at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event here, Gandhi said the syndicate has “gripped the entire system” and is ruining the prospects of millions of young Indians.
“In the past 10 years, an examination paper has been leaked almost every month. Yet, those running these rackets have not been punished,” Gandhi said, calling for strong action against those he termed the mafia behind the leaks.
Gandhi cited figures purportedly showing the price of leaked papers and government appointments: “A NEET paper can be bought for Rs 40 lakh, an IIT-JEE paper for Rs 15 lakh, an Uttarakhand patwari recruitment paper for Rs 15 lakh, a job in Bihar for Rs 10 lakh and a sub-inspector paper in Odisha for Rs 25 lakh.”
The session grew emotional when Rajesh, father of NEET candidate Riya, described what he says led to his daughter’s suicide. A picture of Riya was projected as he appealed to Gandhi to push for decisive steps to stop paper leaks, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Rajesh said his daughter had shown him a report on her phone alleging that the NEET paper had been leaked. “I told her the report might be false and that the paper may not have been leaked. But she kept saying, ‘Papa, the paper has been leaked. Students like us are always betrayed in this manner’,” he said, breaking down on stage.
Gandhi spoke of the grief over Riya’s death and invited Rajesh to share his story with the gathered students, stressing that the issue needed national focus.
He highlighted the sacrifices of aspirants, saying millions forgo social life and personal joys while preparing for competitive exams. “They study for eight to 10 hours every day, while their families support them at every step. Many parents go beyond their means and even borrow money to pay for education and coaching,” he said.
Gandhi added that financial pressures prevent many poor and middle-class families from affording higher education for all their children.
Mathematics teacher Abhinay, who also spoke at the event, warned that without stern government action the harm will extend beyond a single cohort.
“Paper leaks do not affect only one batch of students. Their consequences will be felt by coming generations. Governments must act before more lives and careers are destroyed,” he said.
