Banning Telegram is not the solution to the problem of paper leaks, says AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national coordinator Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday questioned the government’s decision to temporarily ban Telegram as a measure to prevent leakage of exam papers, claiming that such steps would not address the root cause of the problem.

In a video message posted on X, Kejriwal asserted that banning the messaging platform was not the solution to the problem and claimed that the authorities were not serious in tackling the problem.

“The business of paper leaks is worth billions of rupees,” he claimed, claiming that large sums of money generated from such activities reach influential people.

Watch his statement here:

The former Delhi chief minister further alleged that money from paper leakage rackets was being used for political purposes, including buying off legislators.

Kejriwal stressed that paper leaks will continue unless systemic changes are introduced, and called on people to come together to demand reforms. “The whole system must change,” he added.

Also Read: Access to Telegram restricted in India till June 22 to prevent NEET re-exam fraud

The government on Tuesday temporarily restricted access to messaging app Telegram ahead of NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) saying the measure is aimed at tackling cheating and misinformation rackets.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the restrictions imposed on Telegram till June 22 are part of efforts to ensure that the re-examination on June 21 is conducted without any malpractices.

“We will not allow any mistake to happen. We will take all possible measures to ensure that the examination is conducted without any malpractice,” Singh told PTI when asked about the move.

NTA expressed its gratitude to MeitY for what it described as “timely action” taken in the interest of students and said it would help ensure “safe and secure examinations” on June 21.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) served as the nodal agency coordinating the operational response to Telegram-based fraud and misinformation targeting NEET candidates, NTA said.

“NTA records that the intelligence sharing and coordinated removal actions led by the Home Office, through I4C and MeitY, have been sustained, rapid and objective, and remain the operational backbone of the response,” the statement read.

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