NEET and UGC-NET paper leak, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised that her government is committed to an impartial probe and will ensure that those involved in the crime are given the severest sentence.
In her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, President Murmu also brought up the 1975 national emergency, terming it an attack on the Constitution and a «dark chapter».
Her remarks came a day after Speaker Om Birla moved a resolution in the House against the Emergency. The ruling coalition has raked up Emergency as a counter to the INDIA bloc attacking it on the alleged threat to the Constitution under the new regime.
Insisting that there should be «complete transparency and probity» in the process of competitive examinations and government recruitment, Murmu said: «Regarding the recent instances of paper leaks in some examinations, my government is committed to a fair investigation and ensuring strict punishment to the culprits.»
In an apparent attack on the non-NDA ruled states on this issue, Murmu said there have been many instances of paper leaks in different states in the recent past. «It is important that we rise above party-politics and undertake concrete measures nationwide,» she said. Referring to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted in February by the 17th Lok Sabha, the President said a strict law has been enacted against use of «unfair means» in examinations. Those found guilty of the paper leaks are