Jaipur, July 24 (IANS) Calling examination paper leaks “the murder of students’ futures”, Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully on Friday demanded the death penalty for the masterminds behind paper leak rackets.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Jully said that those responsible for leaking examination papers have pushed countless students into depression, robbed deserving candidates of opportunities and, in several cases, driven them to suicide after years of hard work.
Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to set up fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases, the Rajasthan LoP added that such courts should also have the provision to award the death penalty to the accused.
He also demanded accountability at every level, from officials to Ministers, to restore public faith in the examination system.
Excerpts from the interview are as follows:
Q. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases. What is your view?
Tika Ram Jully: Paper leak is not an ordinary crime. It destroys the future of lakhs of students who spend years preparing, burning the midnight oil, only to discover that the examination has been compromised. We have seen students unable to bear this trauma take their own lives. When someone’s future is destroyed, it is no less than taking a life. That is why I believe the masterminds behind paper leak rackets deserve nothing less than the death penalty. The fast-track courts proposed for such cases should have the provision to award capital punishment to those found guilty.
Q. You have often referred to the NEET controversy while making this demand. What concerns you the most?
Tika Ram Jully: Rajasthan witnessed a disturbing contrast. On one hand, children from a single family cleared NEET year after year, raising serious questions that deserve a thorough investigation. On the other, a brilliant student from a poor family in Sikar prepared for two years to become a doctor. When news of the paper leak surfaced, he was devastated and reportedly could not cope with the shock. Such incidents show how paper leaks crush merit, destroy dreams and ruin lives. In fact, an accused was caught in Bihar for paper leak case in the year 2024 and he was given a clean chit on Thursday. So there were paper leak in 2024, in 2025 and in 2026 too. This needs to be checked now. Every suspicious case must be investigated impartially, irrespective of political affiliations. Rajasthan already has one of the strongest anti-paper leak laws, with punishment ranging from ten years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment, besides dismissal of guilty government officials. The law exists, but implementation and accountability remain equally important.
Q. Student protests against examination irregularities are spreading across the country. How should governments respond?
Tika Ram Jully: Students are demanding justice because their future has been jeopardised. Many have crossed the age limit for recruitment while waiting for examinations and appointments. Governments should engage in dialogue instead of suppressing protests. In Mahatma Gandhi’s country, peaceful protests inspired by Gandhian principles should be respected. The way protesters have been detained or forcefully dispersed in some places sends a wrong message. Students who witness baton charges, pellet injuries and tear gas naturally ask whether demanding a fair examination system is a crime. Their concerns deserve answers, not force.
Q. Where do you believe responsibility lies for repeated paper leaks, and what should be done now?
Tika Ram Jully: The Union government cannot continue to deny the scale of the problem. When paper leaks occur repeatedly, responsibility has to be fixed at the highest level. Those overseeing the examination system must be held accountable. Officials facing serious allegations should not be rewarded with important responsibilities. Transparent appointments, independent investigations and timely recruitment are essential. Pending appointments should be completed quickly so that young people do not continue to suffer. Restoring trust in the examination system requires accountability as well as political will.
Q. A new Education Secretary has been appointed. Doesn’t that indicate the Union government is taking corrective steps?
Tika Ram Jully: Merely changing officers is not enough. Accountability is still missing. The new officer has faced corruption allegations, while no action, charge sheet or suspension was initiated against the outgoing officer. This sends a wrong message and reflects the government’s lack of seriousness in addressing the issue. Accountability cannot be selective.
Q. As Leader of Opposition, what is the way forward to resolve the present deadlock?
Tika Ram Jully: Student protests have now reached Jaipur as well. The only way forward is dialogue and a sincere effort to listen to students’ concerns. Their voices should not be suppressed. At the same time, the Union government must expedite pending recruitments in Rajasthan. Thousands of vacancies remain unfilled in Rajasthan, leaving young people unemployed and frustrated. Swift appointments and a transparent examination system are essential to restore students’ confidence. Also, strict investigation should be made in the case where one family’s student cracked the NEET year after year in Rajasthan, however, strict action is awaited in the matter till date as the family has Bharatiya Janata Party links. Also, the FIR was lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation but not by Rajastan Police which should be investigated.
–IANS
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