The controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) has taken a dramatic turn in Rajasthan. Following reports that several questions in the actual exam paper were identical to those in a specific guess paper, the Special Operations Group (SOG) has intensified its investigation, detaining several individuals from Sikar and other locations for questioning. Amidst these developments, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Govind Singh Dotasra has launched a scathing attack on the state government, demanding an immediate and comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged paper leak.
The Kerala Guess Paper Controversy and 100% Leak Claim
Speaking to the media, PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra presented serious allegations regarding the sanctity of the NEET examination, while he claimed that approximately 150 questions that appeared in the NEET paper were an exact match with a guess paper originating from Kerala. Dotasra questioned the statistical impossibility of such a coincidence, noting that the questions matched not just in content but also in their specific numbering and sequence. He pointed out that while many prestigious coaching institutes across the country prepare their own guess papers, the identical nature of the Kerala paper suggests a 100% paper leak. According to Dotasra, this evidence is sufficient to prove that the examination process was compromised at a fundamental level.
Critique of ADG Vishal Bansal and SOG Investigation
Dotasra didn't mince words while criticizing the statements made by ADG Vishal Bansal regarding the case, while he termed the official's remarks as "ridiculous," specifically targeting the logic that if a paper has reached everyone, it can't be considered "out" or leaked. Dotasra argued that the very fact that an official paper became accessible to unauthorized individuals confirms a leak. He reminded the public that NEET papers have been leaked in previous years as well, but the current admission by a responsible officer makes the situation even more grave, while he alleged that such statements from high-ranking officials only serve to protect the paper mafia and mislead the ongoing investigation by the SOG.
Demand for CBI Probe and State Limitations
The Congress leader emphasized that a state-level agency like the SOG doesn't have the jurisdiction or resources to handle a case of this magnitude, which appears to have inter-state links. Dotasra recalled how, during the previous Congress regime, an atmosphere was created suggesting that the government itself was involved in leaks. However, he maintained that paper mafias operate independently and it's the government's duty to curb them. While acknowledging that both the previous and current governments have made efforts to stop these mafias, he stressed that the recurrence of leaks necessitates a central probe. He demanded that a formal FIR be registered and the case be handed over to the CBI to uncover the national network involved in this scandal.
Legislative Comparison and Political Attack on Kirodi Lal Meena
Dotasra highlighted the growing trust deficit among students appearing for competitive exams, while he mentioned that the former Congress government in Rajasthan had introduced a stringent law providing for a fine of 1 crore rupees and life imprisonment for those involved in paper leaks. He questioned why the Central Government has not implemented similar strict legislation across the country. On top of that, he took a direct swipe at Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, who was known for leading massive protests against paper leaks during the Congress rule. Dotasra pointed out that Meena, who once made the SI recruitment case a matter of personal prestige, is now conspicuously silent. He accused the minister of being more concerned about his own political future than the future of the students.
Concluding his statement, Dotasra raised serious questions about the accountability of the NTA Chairman. He alleged that in the past, the agency had used Supreme Court orders as a shield to avoid scrutiny, despite evidence of leaks. He warned that since students in Rajasthan had access to the leaked paper before the exam, the results would be unfairly skewed, affecting candidates nationwide. Dotasra called on the government to admit its failure and clarify the legal sections under which the SOG has detained suspects. He reiterated that the state government is completely failing in its duty, and only a CBI-led investigation can restore faith in the examination system and provide justice to hardworking students.