CBSE Leadership Shake-Up Draws Sharp Criticism From Rahul Gandhi
Following the transfer of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairman and secretary, along with the formation of a single-member committee to investigate the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the central government. He dismissed the recent administrative actions as a mere diversion, reiterating his demand for the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a transparent, independent judicial inquiry into the matter.
Gandhi’s Accusations of a Cover-Up
In a strongly worded post on the social media platform X, Gandhi outlined the sequence of events: the transfer of the CBSE chairman, the transfer of the CBSE secretary, and the constitution of a one-member inquiry panel. He pointedly noted that the person he holds ultimately responsible, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, remains in his position. Gandhi argued that this sequence of actions indicates a deliberate attempt to protect the minister by sacrificing senior officials. He characterized the government’s response not as accountability, but as a cover-up.
Demand for Minister’s Removal and Judicial Probe
The Congress leader reiterated his standing demand for the immediate dismissal of Dharmendra Pradhan and called for a comprehensive investigation to be conducted by an independent judicial authority. He alleged that the Modi administration is attempting to quietly close a file that has been incomplete for a month, thereby avoiding deeper scrutiny. Gandhi further stated that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi genuinely cared about the welfare of the 18.5 lakh students affiliated with CBSE, he would have already removed the Education Minister from his post.
Background of the OSM System Controversy
The controversy stems from the government’s recent decision to establish a one-member committee to look into the procurement process for services related to CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system. The committee is being chaired by S. Radha Chauhan, who serves as the Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission. This newly formed body has been tasked with submitting its findings to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) within a month’s timeframe.
The swift administrative changes, coupled with the narrow scope of the inquiry, have fueled speculation and criticism from the opposition, with Gandhi’s remarks amplifying concerns about the transparency and fairness of the investigation process. The situation remains fluid as political pressure mounts on the government to address the allegations more comprehensively.
