UP students clear exam with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ answers, professors suspended

In a startling turn of events, two professors at the state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, have been suspended for allegedly accepting bribes from students in exchange for inflated marks on answer sheets filled with songs, music, and religious slogans.

Key Points 

• UP university students pass exams by writing ‘Jai Shri Ram’

• Event comes to light after RTI by student reveals exam irregularities

• After the allegations were proven true, professors were relieved of their duties

First-year students reportedly managed to pass their exams with flying colours by writing ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and the names of cricketers in their answer sheets. However, their success was short-lived as the university administration took swift action upon discovering the irregularities.

The suspension came after student leader Divyanshu Singh raised concerns in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor, and Vice-Chancellor, alleging widespread corruption within the university. Singh claimed that some university officials colluded with professors to pass even those students who scored zero marks by awarding them over 60 per cent.

An investigation into the matter, prompted by an RTI response, revealed significant disparities in marks during the re-evaluation of special bank copies. 

The evidence highlighted discrepancies in the examination process, and it was discovered that students who had written slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and names of cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya, among others on their answer sheets, were inexplicably awarded passing grades or over 50 per cent marks.

The examination committee concluded that students had been unjustly awarded higher marks, leading to the suspension of the implicated professors, Dr. Vinay Verma and Manish Gupta.

Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “There was an allegation that students have been given more marks. So we constituted a committee. That Committee in its report said that students have been awarded more marks.” She also expressed concern over the use of religious slogans in answer sheets, highlighting the need for clarity and relevance in student responses.

The Raj Bhavan intervened in the matter, directing the university administration to take appropriate action. Following the directive, the professors were suspended during an examination committee meeting. Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh reiterated the university’s commitment to maintaining academic integrity, stating, “Teachers have been warned so that such a thing is not repeated. The committee has recommended termination for the involved teachers. But there’s a model code of conduct in place, and further action will be taken once the poll code is lifted.”