Controversy Erupts as UP Students Ace Exams with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Answers:
“Professors Suspended”
April 27, 2024.
||Black and White Digital News||
In a startling revelation from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, two professors have been suspended amidst allegations of extorting money from students in exchange for favorable grading on peculiar answer sheets adorned with religious slogans and unrelated content.
The controversy unfolded after reports surfaced that first-year students had cleared their exams by reportedly inscribing “Jai Shri Ram” and the names of cricketers on their answer sheets. These unorthodox responses, allegedly backed by illicit transactions, drew attention to a wider issue of academic integrity within the university.
Student leader Divyanshu Singh raised concerns, addressing top officials including the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and University Vice Chancellor, alleging systematic malpractice facilitated by university officials. Singh’s letter detailed instances where students with zero marks were purportedly awarded passing grades through under-the-table deals.
The scandal gained momentum when an RTI inquiry revealed irregularities during the assessment process, triggering a reevaluation that uncovered significant discrepancies in originally awarded marks.
Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh acknowledged the committee’s findings, confirming that students had indeed been granted inflated marks. Regarding the curious use of religious slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” in answer scripts, she expressed bafflement over the content’s relevance to academic evaluation, citing illegibility and lack of coherence.
In response to mounting pressure, the Raj Bhavan intervened, issuing directives to the university administration to take decisive action. Subsequently, examiners Dr. Vinay Verma and Manish Gupta faced suspension pending further investigation by the examination committee.
The incident has ignited debates on the ethical standards of academic assessment and accountability within educational institutions, with questions lingering over the motivations behind such irregular grading practices. As the university endeavors to restore trust and uphold academic integrity, this episode serves as a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of academic misconduct and the imperative of ensuring fair and transparent evaluation processes.
