Professors suspended after UP students pass with ‘Jai Shree Ram’ on answer sheets

Two professors at a state-run university in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur have been suspended after students allegedly passed exams by writing "Jai Shri Ram" and cricketers' names on their answer sheets.

The event came to light when Divyanshu Singh, a former student of Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, filed an RTI on August 3 last year, seeking a re-evaluation of the answer sheets of 18 first-year pharmacy course students by providing their roll numbers.

Divyanshu Singh alleged that Professors Vinay Verma and Ashish Gupta accepted bribes to pass the students. He filed a formal complaint supported by an affidavit, submitting evidence to the state Governor.

The evidence highlighted discrepancies in the examination process, and it was discovered that students who had written slogans like "Jai Shri Ram" and names of cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, among others on their answer sheets, were inexplicably awarded passing grades or over 50 per cent marks.

Upon receiving the student's complaint letter and affidavit, Raj Bhavan took prompt action, ordering an investigation on December



21, 2023. In response, the university administration convened an enquiry committee. External evaluation of the answer sheets was conducted by a scrutiny committee, revealing discrepancies where students were awarded 0 and 4 marks, respectively.

Vice-Chancellor Vandana Singh, in an interview with India Today's sister channel UP Tak, confirmed that the recommendation to dismiss two professors involved in the erroneous evaluation process had been made.

Notably, irregularities were identified during the assessment of special bank copies, resulting in significant variations in marks upon re-evaluation. Correspondence regarding these findings is set to be forwarded to Raj Bhavan for further action.

In light of the allegations, disciplinary measures are imminent for the implicated professors. The university administration is set to recommend action against Professor Vinay Verma and Professor Ashish Gupta.

Professor Verma, who has previously faced accusations, was also linked to an incident involving the removal of a mobile phone with cash during an examination, resulting in his removal from administrative duties.