UP students clear exam with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on answer sheets
First-year students at a state university in Uttar Pradesh garnered attention for reportedly excelling in an examination by inscribing ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and names of cricket players on their answer sheets. However, legal repercussions ensued.
Two professors from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur faced suspension over allegations of demanding bribes from students in exchange for inflating marks on answer sheets adorned with songs, music and religious phrases.
Student leader Divyanshu Singh raised concerns in a letter addressed to the prime minister (Narendra Modi), chief minister (Yogi Adityanath), governor (Anandiben Patel) and vice-chancellor (Professor Vandana Singh), alleging that, with the collusion of university officials, even students who received zero marks were passed with over 60 per cent grades.
Anomalies, uncovered through an RTI inquiry, surfaced during the scrutiny of specific answer booklets, resulting in significant disparities in grades upon reevaluation.
Addressing the issue of religious slogans, one official stated, “I haven’t reviewed the answer sheet containing ‘Jai Shri Ram’ responses, but I did examine a sheet where it was difficult to discern anything relevant to warrant granting marks to the student. The handwriting was unclear.”
The Raj Bhavan (governor’s residence-cum-office) communicated its concerns to the university’s vice-chancellor, directing appropriate action be taken in response to the matter.
