Vyapam Aftermath

Many students in our country do integrated programs to save a year in their education. Frankly speaking, time means money in terms of higher education. However, Vyapam scam led to the uprooting of many students like weeds, and leaving them by the support of hope.

While thousands of students who fraudulently secured admissions in the multi-crore scam have grabbed most of the attention, a silent minority of brilliant and hard-working students, on the other hand have paid a heavy price for even after topping the exam. Their patience has changed to anger at the system for cheating them of their academic dreams. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing one of the country’s biggest corruption scandals that has affected at least 2.5 million students and seen about 40 suspicious deaths of witnesses and accused. It could take months, if not years, to complete its investigation. The only ray of hope for the victims is the constant pestering of the CBI by the Supreme Court of India.

It’s not just the fate of students; it’s the future of Madhya Pradesh which is at risk. It has been long since the scam was discovered but it is still a motion of debate in the MP legislature. It has created rift between the ruling govt. and the opposition. Matters have worsen enough that opposition has demanded the resignation of the CM. Important matters of state have been neglected due to adjourned sessions caused by unparliamentry behaviour of MLAs.

Not only the state but the central government has been affected by the pressure asserted by parliamentary opposition who have condemned the govt. for not prioritizing Vyapam investigation. The central government can probe into matters of education and health under critical situations, but no such effort has been shown by them as of now.

A leading NGO has also launched a signature campaign in Madhya Pradesh to create awareness about the Vyapam scam, saying that the admissions and recruitment fraud was not just political but a social issue too. Vastly unaware of the details of Vyapam, students from MP have to make crucial choices for higher studies. Thus large numbers of students are immigrating to other states for higher education in order to safeguard their academic prospects. Even parents don’t feel MP as a considerable option for their children’s education.

The most remorseful impact of the Vyapam scam are the deaths caused due to the impact of the scam on the victims. In some case family members of the accused and victims have undergone severe trauma, leading to death at times. The impact of police harassment has also been severe on the people inducing malpractices, alcoholism and even mental illness. On the other hand, officials still believe these deaths to be a part of a larger conspiracy.

Moreover, public demonstrations in the state are on the rise leading to an environment of instability. The fact that the people don’t trust the govt. is what forces them to take to the streets. The future of the state remains insecure with the governing power lying only in the hands of businessmen.

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