Mumbai, July 15: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde targeted opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday. Gandhi had criticized the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government over the state Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak incident.
On the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi stated, “The Maharashtra TET paper has been leaked, and the exam has been canceled. Six lakh candidates are left in uncertainty. Two weeks have passed, yet there is no information about a new exam date. The perpetrators of the leak are roaming free, and the system remains unaffected, while the honest candidates are the ones suffering.”
He emphasized that the candidates are “the hardworking future teachers of the country, holding the future of India in their hands.”
Gandhi highlighted that these individuals had prepared for years, filled out forms, paid fees, and traveled to distant exam centers. Now, they are left waiting, with no date or answers in sight.
Addressing Chief Minister Fadnavis, Gandhi made three demands. He urged the immediate announcement of a new TET exam date. He also called for action against those responsible for the leak, insisting that the punishment should be directed at the culprits, not the candidates.
Furthermore, he requested that students affected by the paper leak be granted age relaxation to secure their future. “The fault lies with the institution, yet the candidates are the ones being punished. This is not justice,” he stated.
Gandhi also mentioned that he would discuss the escalating crisis of paper leaks in Dehradun on July 17.
He concluded by asserting, “Now is the time for an education revolution, to create a system where youth are rewarded for their hard work, not made to pay for systemic failures.”
In response to Gandhi’s remarks, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the government has actively taken steps regarding the issue. He told reporters, “I want to inform Rahul Gandhi that an investigation has been conducted, and action has been taken. I also want to assure him that solid measures are being implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Fadnavis countered Gandhi’s criticisms by questioning whether he was seeking information from within India or from abroad via social media.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde added that the police had apprehended individuals involved in the TET paper leak before it occurred.
He stated, “The police identified and dismantled the entire network, sending all accused to jail. We have also recommended applying MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act) against them. Anyone who plays with the future of the country will not be spared at any cost.”
Shinde also reminded Gandhi that during the tenure of his Maha Vikas Aghadi government, there were three paper leaks in CET, TET, and health department exams. “This all happened under his administration, and he should be aware of it,” he added.
He assured that strict action would be taken against those involved in the TET paper leak case to deter future offenses.
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