• Source:JND

CBSE OMR ROW: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday commended whistleblower student Sarthak Sidhant and his associate, Nisarga Adhikary, for finding alleged irregularities in the CBSE's On-Screen Marking System (OSM) tender process. He said the two youngsters had accomplished what even leading media organisations and investigative agencies had failed to achieve.

In a video posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi shared footage of his recent meeting with Sarthak Sidhant, in which he lauded the 18-year-old student for questioning the system and pursuing answers despite his age.

Captioning the post, Gandhi described Sarthak Sidhant as a young man whose "mindset, courage, and principles" rivalled anyone else's. "Sarthak is 18 years old, yet, in terms of mindset, courage, and principles, he is second to none," the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition wrote.

What Did Rahul Gandhi Say?

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi praised Sidhant and 19-year-old Adhikary for their investigation into the CBSE's OSM tendering process, saying the teenagers had outperformed even the country's premier investigative agency.

"An 18-year-old from the country proved faster and sharper than the CBI; this victory for the youth is, in the true sense, a defeat for the government," he said.

The Congress leader also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach towards India's youth, stressing the importance of questioning authority in a democracy.

"Modi ji wants our youth to keep making reels and frying pakodas, without asking questions or opening their eyes. But these young men did ask questions, and they found the answers, too," Gandhi said.

Highlighting the role of young people in shaping the country's future, he added, "This is India's true youth power – inquisitive, aware and informed. And remember, the country's future will not be led astray."

Gandhi had met Sidhant and his family last Tuesday. Following the meeting, he shared photographs and a message of encouragement for the student.

"Sarthak, stay firm on your principles," he wrote.

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What Is the CBSE OMR Sheet Controversy?

The row began after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced digital evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets through its On-Screen Marking System, replacing the conventional paper-checking process.

However, controversy erupted when some Class 12 students alleged that the scanned copies of their answer sheets uploaded by the board did not match their handwriting, raising concerns about a possible answer-sheet mismatch within the OSM system.

The issue has since escalated into a political controversy. The government recently removed two senior CBSE officials amid the row. However, the Congress has dismissed the action as a cover-up.

ALSO READ: CBSE OSM Row: Congress Demands Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation, Calls Top Official's Transfer Cover-Up, Eyewash

Gandhi has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for an independent judicial inquiry into the matter.


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