- By Imran Zafar
- Sun, 01 Sep 2024 10:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education issued guidelines for the upcoming higher secondary examinations, scheduled for February 2025. The council warned that candidates found writing "political slogans" in their answer sheets could face disqualification, reportedly to curb misconduct.
The guidelines stated that any indecorous writing, drawings or political slogans in the answer scripts or OMR sheets will be treated as malpractice, potentially leading to the cancellation of the candidate's examination. "A candidate shall held guilty of misconduct or malpractice if found indulging in indecorous writing or indecorous drawing or political slogans in the answer script/OMR of the candidate,'' the guidelines read.
This decision sparked controversy, particularly amid ongoing protests following the August 9 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Many academicians have criticised the move, questioning its timing and rationale.
However, Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, defended the guidelines, stating that they were approved before the incident at RG Kar Hospital and are unrelated to current events.
''Our decision has nothing to do with the current events. Approval to the examination related regulations were given before the R G Kar Hospital incident happened,'' Bhattacharjee said as quoted by Indian Express.
The guidelines also mention that candidates will be guilty of misconduct if they attempt to bribe invigilators by enclosing currency notes with their answer sheets.
