India Leaks

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

None could ever imagine in 1947, an ancient civilization with hoary traditions would come to a divided, leaking society almost disintegrating with contradictions. A country with the legacy of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, just after 70 years of democracy has become self- stultifying with intolerance, religion-caste divisions, ruling-opposition conflicts and many other self created ills for which no cure is in sight.  It seems there are no Indians here, they are all individuals or groups or communities with un-Indian loyalties. The National Flag, National Anthem are mired in competitive logic of defiance. Defence secrets are leaked and sold for a few chips of gold. Data of unsuspecting people leak through willing hands to psych the voters. Privacy leaks through Adhar cards originally meant for protecting individual identities. Secret files of government offices are flaunted by unwanted people to harass and blackmail men in power and authority. Election dates reach interested parties before the Election commission announces them. Money , the hard earned money of tax payers is leaked into unholy pockets through the banks with the connivance of officers and other agents of depravity.  And the question papers of matriculation boards, CBSE and even SSB are leaked to the paying public without regard for the meritorious students who give their day and night, to their studies.

And who does it? Not the agency of Hell or the Satanic elements of enemy territories. It’s done by Indians, who boast of their pedigree, their culture and history; who believe in soul and immortality; who visit temples, mosques and other shrines to show off their purity, their moral beings. Almost every year in some state or other examination question papers are leaked. Some enquiry and ho halla go on for a week and retests are done to assess the merit of our future generations. About  a year ago a girl student topped the Bihar Board Examination results: she did not know the difference between Home Science and Political Science. The CBSE is a very hallowed organization. This Board stands at the mid point between the school and the University education. Its role and function therefore are significant and important. But its question papers are often sold in the market hours before the examination starts  .

In recent memory leaks occurred in 2011 and 2013.  The usual shouting matches happened but no one was the wiser. This year too class XII   Economics and class X Maths papers were leaked. Since 2018 is a pre –election year the din raised was at its highest pitch- which is natural- protest marches, gheraos and media commotion with debates by all and sundry followed. The Chairman of the Board, it appears, was informed about the leaks much before the dates of examinations by a so called whistleblower. But the Chairman CBSE perhaps took it as mischievous rumour mongering (which is not new in this country)   and slept over it. When the protest by angry and disappointed students and parents hit the streets and the door steps of the authorities, the Board announced a re-test for Economics. The Central Government HRD minister made promises of fair play and the usual things followed.   

But the question is not about paper leak or re tests. In these days of digital expertise dominating systems all over the country, why didn’t the Board take precautions at every step? If we respect merit, if examinations are meant to test merit and select the best for higher studies the Board should have left no stone unturned to make the whole process leak proof. But no; it doesn’t matter. If there is a leak of papers, there will be a retest: problem and solution are historically established.

 Of course such things will happen again. None can guarantee a system that will not crack under the weight of cynical, unpatriotic thieves. Indians with love for the country and her future generations are no more here. The bankers do not guard peoples’ money towards controlled and well planned economic growth, for they are salaried employees not proud Indians.  Teachers merely make a living. Corporates are meant for success whatever be the stakes. Governments are for wielding power enjoying peoples’ mandate: They want to spend their chair-years and pass into history. There is no heroism left anymore. No one hesitates to sell the secrets of the country or the treasures nourished over centuries to the enemies of the country. The Indians are the enemies of their own people. We are the villains of necessity, knaves by our own compulsions of self generated greed. If this mind set does not change leaks cannot be plugged. Our pride has leaks. Our culture has leaks. India now leaks and waits, perhaps for a messiah to seal the holes in our souls.