Maharashtra has become epicentre of paper leaks: Shiv Sena (UBT) in 'Saamana'

Shiv Sena UBT on Monday criticised the Maharashtra government over the alleged Teacher Eligibility Test TET paper leak in Bhiwandi claiming that the states education system has deteriorated and that a lack of accountability has allowed paper leak rackets to flourishIn an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana the party alleged that repeated examination paper leaks reflected systemic failures in governance and law enforcementEditorial alleges Maharashtra has become centre of paper leak casesStates like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were once notorious for mass cheating and governmentsponsored copying Maharashtra has gone a step further This new trade of governmentsponsored paper leaks is running in full swing What else can one expect from those who plunder the donation boxes of the Ram Mandir the editorial saidThe party further claimed that Maharashtra has emerged as the countrys main hub for examination paper leaks adding that the issue had become a serious challenge for students and the education systemReferring to the alleged NEET paper leak and the recent TET case the editorial stated that Maharashtras educational reputation had suffered due to repeated controversiesParty targets Home Minister Devendra FadnavisThis is not just an isolated incident it is a dark chronicle of the failure and corruption of the ruling Mahayuti government It reflects a monstrous labyrinth born out of corruption and a sheer betrayal of the younger generations future Such incidents which tarnish the prestige of Maharashtra are happening repeatedly The state that historically laid the foundation for education and social reform in India is now being forced to witness its daily decline It is as if progressive Maharashtra is being systematically dismantled the editorial saidThe editorial also questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who also holds the Home portfolio alleging that the Home Department had failed to prevent repeated paper leak incidentsQuestions raised over law and orderThe editorial argued that paper leaks have become increasingly common and compared them to political defectionsDefecting legislators reportedly receive 50 crores each while paper leaks destroy the futures of millions of youth Given the gravity of the situation Maharashtras Education Minister has no right to remain in his post for even a single day it saidIt further added The Home Department is being heavily utilised for political gains and to benefit the BJP Maharashtra desperately needs a fulltime Home Minister If Fadnavis cannot do justice to the portfolio he should voluntarily step down but one wonders if such political morality is left among Maharashtrarsquos ruling eliteAccording to the editorial a significant portion of the police force is deployed for the security of defected legislators while examination security remains inadequateEditorial alleges organised paper leak networkThe Thackerayled party said the TET examination is a crucial qualification for aspiring teachers and alleged that organised networks involving paper leak operators brokers and corrupt officials have compromised recruitment processesThe editorial alleged that this is a wellentrenched racket consisting of the paper leak mafia intermediary brokers and corrupt officialsIt further claimed Such papers cannot leak 24 hours before an exam and circulate freely on social media without strong backing from the ruling dispensation The chain behind the NEET paper leak shares links with the BJP and those responsible for the TET leak belong to the same political ecosystem The government now merely buys time under the pretext of conducting an investigationThe party also referred to the alleged geographical spread of the NEET paper leak investigation claiming that Pune Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Latur and Nashik were linked to the case while Bhiwandi has emerged as the centre of the TET paper leak controversyOpposition questions governments responseThe editorial asked Can Home Minister Fadnavis answer why cases of paper leaks are repeatedly concentrated in MaharashtraIt further stated This is not merely an administrative failure it is a calculated conspiracy to steal the dreams hopes and aspirations of the youth While Prime Minister Modi sells new dreams to the younger generation during his foreign travels the political machinery remains more invested in engineered political defections than in safeguarding the nations academic integrityConcluding its criticism the editorial said Maharashtras education system had been seriously compromised adding that Despite the scale of these offences the lack of accountability ensures that the illicit trade of paper leaks operates without fearIt concluded Maharashtra has unfortunately outpaced states historically criticised for mass cheating establishing a systemic crisis of institutionalised leaks When those at the helm fail to protect basic institutional integrity the youth are left to pay the ultimate priceWith inputs from IANS