Rahul Gandhi says Maharashtra TET candidates being punished, seeks fresh exam date
Rahul Gandhi has criticised the delay in announcing a fresh Maharashtra TET date after the paper leak forced the exam's cancellation. He said nearly six lakh candidates should not pay for a system failure and sought accountability and age relaxation.
Nearly two weeks after the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was cancelled over a question paper leak, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the delay in announcing a fresh examination date, saying lakhs of candidates are being forced to bear the consequences of a system failure.
In a post on X, Gandhi said around six lakh candidates remain uncertain about their future as the government has neither announced a revised schedule nor clarified the next course of action.
'THE SYSTEM FAILED, STUDENTS ARE PAYING'
Calling the situation unfair, Gandhi wrote that while those responsible for the leak remain free, honest candidates continue to suffer.
"The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty," he said.
Describing the affected candidates as the country's present and future teachers, he said they had spent years preparing for the examination, completed the application process, paid examination fees and travelled to distant centres, only to be left waiting "without a date, without answers."
THREE DEMANDS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
Addressing the Maharashtra government, Gandhi placed three immediate demands before the Chief Minister:
Announce a fresh TET examination date without further delay.
Take action against those responsible for the paper leak instead of penalising candidates.
Provide age relaxation to aspirants whose opportunities have been affected because of the cancellation.
He argued that the mistake belonged to the system and not to the candidates, adding, "The mistake is the institution's, the punishment the candidate's — this is not justice."
Gandhi also said he would discuss the growing issue of examination paper leaks during a public interaction in Dehradun on July 17, adding that India now needs an "education revolution" where young people are rewarded for their hard work rather than becoming victims of administrative failures.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MAHARASHTRA TET CASE?
The Maharashtra TET, scheduled for June 28, was cancelled a day before the examination after authorities detected a question paper leak.
According to the investigation, the paper was allegedly leaked from a printing press in Thane, prompting the state government to call off the examination to protect its integrity.
Police launched an investigation and registered a case, but a revised examination date is yet to be announced. The cancellation affected nearly six lakh candidates, who are still awaiting an official update on when the examination will be conducted.
Nearly two weeks after the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was cancelled over a question paper leak, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has criticised the delay in announcing a fresh examination date, saying lakhs of candidates are being forced to bear the consequences of a system failure.
In a post on X, Gandhi said around six lakh candidates remain uncertain about their future as the government has neither announced a revised schedule nor clarified the next course of action.
'THE SYSTEM FAILED, STUDENTS ARE PAYING'
Calling the situation unfair, Gandhi wrote that while those responsible for the leak remain free, honest candidates continue to suffer.
"The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty," he said.
Describing the affected candidates as the country's present and future teachers, he said they had spent years preparing for the examination, completed the application process, paid examination fees and travelled to distant centres, only to be left waiting "without a date, without answers."
THREE DEMANDS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
Addressing the Maharashtra government, Gandhi placed three immediate demands before the Chief Minister:
Announce a fresh TET examination date without further delay.
Take action against those responsible for the paper leak instead of penalising candidates.
Provide age relaxation to aspirants whose opportunities have been affected because of the cancellation.
He argued that the mistake belonged to the system and not to the candidates, adding, "The mistake is the institution's, the punishment the candidate's — this is not justice."
Gandhi also said he would discuss the growing issue of examination paper leaks during a public interaction in Dehradun on July 17, adding that India now needs an "education revolution" where young people are rewarded for their hard work rather than becoming victims of administrative failures.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MAHARASHTRA TET CASE?
The Maharashtra TET, scheduled for June 28, was cancelled a day before the examination after authorities detected a question paper leak.
According to the investigation, the paper was allegedly leaked from a printing press in Thane, prompting the state government to call off the examination to protect its integrity.
Police launched an investigation and registered a case, but a revised examination date is yet to be announced. The cancellation affected nearly six lakh candidates, who are still awaiting an official update on when the examination will be conducted.
