Pradeep Singh

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Is the Centre lingering the issue of the lakhs of SSC job aspirants? Is it playing with the life and future of the students for vested interests? At a time when their hard work was to be paid off, the callousness of the exam conducting authorities in the country has forced them to hit the streets leaving behind their dreams. They now see a bleak future ahead!

SSC CGL job aspirants have been protesting since the beginning of this month alleging question paper leak of the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) Tier II.

They demand CBI inquiry into the exams alleging a bigger scam behind the entire scene. However, almost all those concerned seem to be hostile to their demands.

When SSC Chairman, Ashim Khurana’s discussion with the students failed, Home Minister Rajnath Singh stepped in and announced that CBI would probe the alleged question paper leak. However, the students still continued their protest as they saw the Union Minister’s announcement ‘misleading’.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh first announced CBI inquiry of only second shift of the exam held on February 21. Later, he told that all exams held from February 17-22 will be probed. But what about the exams held on February 9. All these announcements are just to cheat and confuse, said a protesting student.

We want the entire SSC exams, including MTS, CHSL, CGL and CPO, to be probed by the CBI,” he said, adding that the minister must clear ‘what and when CBI will probe

The SSC chairman has been trying to save his chair either because of his fault or due to some pressure from the New Delhi in-charge of the BJP government. Khurana is telling it’s not a leak rather a cheating incident. Students’ pens, belts, shoes, everything is checked before entering the examination hall; even the halls are under CCTV surveillance. His comments are just sad and unfortunate, said another student.

If it continues and our cause is not paid attention, the Narendra Modi government will have to face the wrath of the students and the ruling government will collapse over the SSC scam in 2019

- he said in a state of extreme disappointment.

"We want the government to issue stay order on all the SSC exams till CBI submits its report in a time-bound period. We don’t want to take risk as we have faith on this government. If government agrees to all our demands, we will call off the strike,” he said.

Meanwhile, the SSC CGL exam, which was re-scheduled for March 9, was re-conducted today. Students in Odisha’s Capital city of Bhubaneswar appeared the exam by wearing black shirts in protest.

“Our protest will continue against the tyranny of the government. The country is already reeling under several scams, now future of the students has become a market product which is getting sold and bought,” said Dhiraj Sahu, a CGL aspirant after appearing the exam at a centre in the city.

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