The government’s decision to temporarily ban Telegram app in the context of NEET-UG paper leak concerns has sparked controversy. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, criticized the move, raising doubts about whether the move would actually prevent the leak of the papers.
The use of Telegram has been temporarily restricted in India ahead of the NEET-UG re-exam scheduled for June 21.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wondered whether social media platform WhatsApp would be next on the government’s radar to place restrictions. Meanwhile, Kejriwal described the steps taken by the government as “ridiculous” and said there was no real intention to stop the leak of the papers.
“Transferring papers through army ships, shutting down Telegram. Will these steps stop paper leakage? Absolutely not. Paper leakage business is a multi-billion rupee racket. The money goes to the top. If paper leakage is stopped, where will the money come from to buy MLAs/MPs?,” Kejriwal’s post on X read in part.
“Chor ko pakadne ki bagai….”
Rahul Gandhi, who has long criticized the government over paper leak concerns, said the restrictions on the Telegram app showed that efforts were being made to “lock up” the victim rather than the perpetrator.
“If you have any money, then you will have to eat it again.” (Instead of arresting the thief, just hang a lock on the victim’s door.) Millions of students have been studying on Telegram for years – notes, test series, discussions and preparation. Rahul Gandhi wrote: “How can hijacking that facility become the solution to the problem of paper leakage?”
Gandhi also said there was no guarantee that such methods would be evidence of lying, and described the measures being taken to retake the exam as a “theater”. “Modi ji – drop the charades. Strike the mafia, not the students,” he said.
Earlier, K Annamalai, who recently resigned from the BJP, had questioned the tight security measures being taken before the re-test. He said the measures would add to the “already inflated exam pressure” students face.
Why is Telegram restricted?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday restricted access to Telegram in India until June 22, a day after the NEET re-exam.
Justifying the move, the testing agency said scammers were using the platform to get money and falsely claim to have access to “leaked retest papers.” “We will not allow any mistake to happen. We will take all possible measures to ensure that the examination is conducted without any malpractice,” said Abhishek Singh, Director General of the National Tourism Agency. PTI.
NTA also warned students against fabricated “proof” videos and manipulated conversations being circulated to bait candidates and worried parents.
Telegram has approached the Delhi High Court against the temporary ban and the petition is expected to be heard today.
