Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Youth Congress on Monday organised a torch (mashal) rally in the state capital, pressing the ruling government to answer allegations of exam paper leaks and widespread mistakes in school textbooks. The demonstration targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration and called for swift action to protect students' interests.
Leaders, allegations and demands
Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das addressed reporters at the event and linked the state-level protest to a broader mobilisation of students and youth inspired by recent national political events. Senior Congress leader Manas Choudhury accused the state government of failing to address education-sector problems, alleging both question-paper leaks and significant errors in textbooks.
"You are aware of the paper leak that occurred across India; the situation here is even worse. Question papers for school students have been leaked, and there are over 3,000 errors (sic) in the textbooks. Yet, the minister remains asleep," Manas Choudhury said.
Speakers at the rally demanded accountability from the state administration and called for corrective measures to ensure examination integrity and accuracy of educational material.
Event details and participation
The rally brought together Youth Congress workers and student activists. The party said senior leaders including Uday Bhanu and Ranjit Patra participated. Organisers framed the demonstration as part of a continuing campaign against alleged irregularities and to press for systemic reforms in the education sector.
| Aspect | Details reported |
|---|---|
| Location | Bhubaneswar |
| Organiser | Odisha Youth Congress |
| Key allegations | Question-paper leaks; purportedly over 3,000 errors in textbooks |
| Notable attendees | Bhakta Charan Das, Uday Bhanu, Ranjit Patra, Manas Choudhury |
Wider context
Organisers linked the Bhubaneswar protest to national student movements and cited a call to action by senior national leaders. The demonstration in Odisha follows student agitations in other states, including Jharkhand, where protests have been staged over alleged irregularities in public service examinations.
- Accountability sought: The rally demanded investigation and corrective steps from the state education department and the concerned minister.
- National resonance: Leaders framed the Odisha action as part of a larger nationwide concern about examination fairness and textbook quality.
What authorities and citizens should note
The Youth Congress called for swift inquiries and remedial measures to protect students from the fallout of alleged leaks and to correct curricular mistakes. Party speakers said they will continue the campaign until satisfactory action is taken.
Authorities overseeing examinations and textbook publication have not been named in the available report as having responded to the allegations. The rally underscores heightened public scrutiny of educational governance at a time when students and parents demand transparency and reliability.
Practical precautions and civic measures
Given the nature of public demonstrations, participants and onlookers are advised to follow directions issued by local police, maintain peaceful conduct and avoid obstructing traffic. Students and parents seeking clarity on examination schedules, results or textbook corrections should refer to official education department notices and authorised announcements rather than social media circulation.
The political campaign around examination integrity and curriculum accuracy is likely to remain active in the near term. The Youth Congress has signalled continued protests unless the government outlines specific remedial steps.
