- 3 hours ago
The central government has transferred CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta and ordered an inquiry into the procurement of On-Screen Marking (OSM) services after massive nationwide uproar.
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00:00Good evening, you're watching To The Point. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. Before we get into our top debate, allow me to
00:05take you through the headlines.
00:11Big India Today impact. Government swings into action. Overmarking mess. CBSC chairman and secretary transferred one member panel form to
00:19probe irregularities.
00:29DKS Siddharamaya meet high command. Finalist of cabinet minister Ji Parameshwara may be the sole deputy CM. India Today exclusively
00:38accesses list of new cabinet. Siddhu's son gets birth. Satish Charkiholi chooses to be minister over KPCC chief post.
00:53Bengaluru decked up for DKS as chief minister banners welcoming top brass for oath. DKS shows gratitude towards Gandhi family
01:01as he readies himself for the big job.
01:08All eyes on Anna Malai's next move after meeting top BJP Netas in Delhi. Sources say Anna Malai informed them
01:15about his decision to quit and turn down the Rajya Sabha offer.
01:19BJP tells Anna Malai to wait as of now.
01:2728-year-old black buck taint back for Salman. Salman Khan blocks Kala Hiran film based on 1998 black buck
01:36poaching case. Seek stay on film's release and promotion.
01:54All right. The latest news break coming in after nonstop India Today coverage, government swinging into action.
02:03The latest that's coming in is big action by the Modi government on the CBSC related case.
02:10CBSC chairman and secretary have been transferred.
02:13Inquiry committee constituted to probe the procurement of on-screen marking.
02:18The OSM services by CBSC.
02:20The latest is that both the CBSC chairman and secretary of the CBSC have been transferred.
02:27An inquiry committee has already been constituted to probe the procurement of on-screen marking services by CBSC.
02:35If you remember, viewers, the CBSC had roped in a particular firm that was banned in Telangana.
02:41Certain rules were changed, especially for tender processing.
02:44And now questions being raised, were those rules changed to favour a particular firm based in Hyderabad, Coem, Edutech?
02:53Well, the government now has constituted a committee to probe the procurement of on-screen marking services by CBSC.
03:02So the first heads to roll where the CBSC is concerned is the CBSC chairman and secretary both transferred.
03:10I want to cut across right now to my colleague Aishwarya Paliwal as well as Anmol Bali, both of them
03:15joining me for the latest coming in.
03:17Aishwarya, technically in the entire controversy concerning NEED, then CBSC, CEUT, the first heads have rolled.
03:26The secretary and CBSC chief transferred.
03:28What's the latest?
03:29Is the government mulling more action?
03:31Well, you know, Preeti, the government at the moment is looking at making sure that there are more people who,
03:38because they believe that there are more people who are involved.
03:41The government is very, very clear.
03:43They want to get to the bottom of it.
03:44They also want to set an example, Preeti.
03:46Let me tell you, Prime Minister Modi personally was very keenly looking at what was happening in NEED and also
03:51what was happening in CBSC.
03:52And we are now seeing the government cracking the whip action being taken.
03:56But let me tell you, this is just the beginning.
03:58We will see a cleanup of the system of sorts that will take place in days to come.
04:02Government will also set this as an example so that these kind of things do not happen in the future.
04:07The government very, very clear.
04:09In no way can the future of children be put at stake.
04:12And if there was any kind of corruption, the government now wants to get to the bottom of it.
04:16Preeti.
04:18Aishwarya, just stay on with me.
04:19I want to bring in Anmol Bali as well into this conversation.
04:21Anmol, the first heads to roll come in from the CBSC chairman, secretary transferred.
04:27Are we looking at similar reaction where NEED is concerned?
04:29There's also the CEUT examination.
04:32All right, just stay with me, Anmol.
04:34Coming right back to you.
04:35Just stay with me.
04:35More news break just filtering in.
04:37The cabinet secretary has constituted a one-member committee to inquire into the matter related to the procurement of services
04:44for the on-screen marking system by the CBSC.
04:47The committee will be headed by S. Radha Johan, chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission.
04:52The chairperson has been empowered to seek assistance from officers of other offices wherever required.
04:58The committee has been asked to submit its report within one month to the Department of Personal Training.
05:04A panel now constituted to probe the on-screen marking process of a tender which had been floated by the
05:12CBSC.
05:13Now, it has been a narrative which has been driven just by the students themselves where two students have cracked
05:20the portal alleging that, one of them alleging that clearly rules were bent to accommodate a particular firm.
05:29Anmol, what's the latest that you have?
05:35As you know, two babus have been transferred in this CBSC OSM fiasco.
05:39And if I'll tell you, the latest of a single-member committee has been constituted to investigate this matter under
05:46the committee will be chaired by Radha Johan, chairperson of Capacity Building Commission.
05:51Because the company Coim Terutech was already in the centre of the controversy since 2019.
05:56It changed its name from Globrena to Coim Terutech, which was given the tender of this on-screen marking system.
06:02We have seen the leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and various other India Alliance leaders have questioned this company.
06:06Later, we have seen that a 19-year-old investigator have also brought the tender documents into the public domain,
06:12which further ignited more questions on this company.
06:15And now the CBSC has started inquiring this matter, but now we have seen a big action by the Modi
06:21government, where two babus, one chairman and one secretary, has been transferred.
06:25But on the other hand, today it was seen that on June 2, CBSC has said that their portal will
06:30be live, but still many students around India are facing problems and technical glitches.
06:35On the other hand, CBSC has said that they are facing cyber attacks in this case in the matter, but
06:40on the other hand, still students are waiting to file their grievances for their answer sheets.
06:46But on the other hand, it's government action.
06:48And still, CBSC has a lot of questions to answer to students as well as to the general public, Priti.
06:54All right, Anmol, I want to just get a quick word in from Aishwarya if she continues to be with
06:58us.
06:58Aishwarya, you know, there are two angles. One is, of course, the entire narrative that has been driven by the
07:02students themselves, many students playing investigators in this.
07:06And that is how the entire case of this particular firm has co-empted edutec come to light, where there
07:14is one student who, by the virtue of clear papers that he has been able to pull out,
07:20exposes how tender norms were bent possibly, allegedly, to favor this one particular firm.
07:26What are we expecting, Aishwarya? Because the opposition is going hammer and tongs on only one demand, and that is
07:32the sacking of the education minister.
07:37Well, you know, we are seeing how the opposition, and in fact, a lot of parents also have been raising
07:41questions and saying that it is the education ministry and the education minister with whom the buck stops.
07:46Also, let me tell you, Priti, we have seen how 17-year-old, both the boys, in fact, came in
07:51front of the parliamentary panel and they gave their statement.
07:54I mean, they explained to the parliamentary panel today how exactly they were able to get to the bottom of
07:59it.
07:59Now, really, obviously, you know, the question is that if this particular company was given the contract, that means that
08:04someone had signed those documents,
08:07someone knew that this was the company which was being given the documents and due diligence was A, either not
08:11done,
08:12and if it was done, then how were the officers not able to flag off that this was the company
08:16in Telangana which actually was being blacklisted.
08:18So, all those things are now being looked at.
08:21And the reason why the students also barely 17 years old, if they were able to bring this to the
08:26fact,
08:26it means that there is a big rot in the system, and that is exactly what the government at the
08:30moment is looking at.
08:31The heads rolling is just the first step from what I'm understanding, Priti.
08:34We will see more action being taking place.
08:37We will see more officers in the talk because the government is very, very firm.
08:40It's not just the work of one person, but there is an entire change that now needs to be exposed,
08:45Priti.
08:45All right, okay.
08:46Thank you, Ashwarya and Anmol, for both of you for joining us with all the latest and news breaks that
08:50are coming in.
08:51But, Priti, the collateral in-mits-to-fall of this is nothing but over 18 lakh students.
08:55For these 18 lakh students, the uncertainty is far from over.
08:58Days after delays in launching the CBSC re-evaluation portal, like just what Anmol was pointing out,
09:04the portal's up, but still the complaints are unceasing.
09:07Fresh complaints have emerged over technical glitches, login failures,
09:11leaving students extremely anxious as admission deadlines draw closer.
09:20For lakhs of students, it was supposed to be a day of answers.
09:24Instead, it became another day of uncertainty.
09:30After days of delay and confusion, CBSC's re-evaluation portal finally went live on June 2nd.
09:38But within hours, students began reporting fresh technical glitches, login failures and access issues.
09:49The trouble began on May 29th, when the portal's scheduled launch was delayed.
09:53CBSC announced June 1st as a new activation date, but that deadline, too, was missed.
10:01Then on June 2nd, the portal finally went live.
10:04Only for many students to report fresh technical problems.
10:10Social media was flooded with complaints.
10:12Students posted screenshots of error messages and login failures, questioning why a process so crucial to their future was facing
10:21repeated setbacks.
10:24Since morning, I've tried seven times and in the morning, it was three times and now again.
10:28In the morning, it showed that the credentials were not right.
10:32So, I thought maybe there was a problem.
10:34So, I took a break and then I did it again.
10:37And then the verification has failed and it has been going on since the three times that I've applied.
10:43So, now the problem is not from my side, I will say.
10:46Have you talked with your friends, those who are also trying to sign in?
10:49The ones that I've talked to today, yes, they had said that they were also facing the issues.
10:54The server was down.
10:55It was taking time and loading and all that things were there.
11:00The concern is especially acute because the re-evaluation process is time-bound while college admissions are already underway.
11:08For lakhs of students, marks determine courses, colleges and careers.
11:16Every delay now comes with the cost.
11:19And this is not the only education controversy raising uncomfortable questions.
11:23The fallout of the NEAT paper leak and exam cancellation continues to haunt students and their families.
11:34At least four reported cases of NEAT aspirants dying by suicide have surfaced since the exam was cancelled following the
11:42paper leak controversy.
11:48A portal can be fixed, an exam can be rescheduled, a result can be revised.
11:54But when controversies repeatedly disrupt the education system, the impact goes far beyond administrative lapses.
12:02For millions of students, the cost is measured in anxiety, shattered dreams and in the most tragic cases, lives lost.
12:10Bureau Report, India Today.
12:40CBSC student, Raima Sabrawal, Class 12, CBSC student, Mohammed Ayan, CBSC student.
12:46I want to begin with Raima and Rhea first and then we'll cut across to our panelists as well as
12:52Mohammed Ayan.
12:53But Raima, you've given your 12th CBSC examination.
12:58You have clearly felt the full force of the OSM system.
13:02Are you happy with the results that you've got?
13:05Is your paper or what you had written matching with what you have got and your expectations?
13:11Not at all.
13:12I feel like whatever hard work that we had put into since the start of this year has not been
13:17what we wanted or what we desired per se.
13:21And it's just not my personal experience. There are lots of students out there facing the same thing.
13:26For me personally, I'm not going to stay in India. I'm going abroad for higher education.
13:31However, the students who continue to do their higher education here in India and the administrative lapses are continuously affecting
13:40their future.
13:40And me, my friends and many of us who have given CBSC board examinations.
13:47Raima, what has been the difference? Has your what you wrote and have you got your paper?
13:51Have you been able to get your answer sheet?
13:55No, even after the extension, the login portal in general, the CBSC website kept on crashing.
14:03A lot of my friends, a lot of people from my school were not able to get their answer sheets.
14:07Even after the extension, the portal failed to work.
14:11So you haven't got your answer sheet right now?
14:13No, I haven't.
14:15Okay. And you're saying many of your friends haven't been able to get their answer sheets?
14:19Yes, the website kept on crashing. And even if they did get their answer sheets, they were very blurry and
14:24not legible at all.
14:26Okay. I want to bring in now Ria. Ria and Raima, are you both sisters?
14:31We're twins.
14:32We're twins.
14:32Your friends, you look very, very alike as well. Alright, okay.
14:36I want to bring in Ria into this conversation. Ria, what has been your experience?
14:41I had put in countless hours. I used to study for 13 hours a day and my marks, they did
14:48not suffice my hard work.
14:50And I think it's just a way of telling everyone that I've done a lot of hard work, but the
14:55marks, they did not suffice my hard work at all.
14:59And us students, we did not want to be a part of this experiment known as OSM or on screen
15:06marking.
15:07I have talked to so many people around me.
15:10Tell me Ria, what has been the issue? Have you been able to access your mark sheet? Your paper?
15:16No, I tried a lot. I tried at different times. I tried at 2am in the night, 5am. It just
15:22kept crashing.
15:23There was no way that I could proceed just by entering my details and no payment was processed, nothing.
15:30I still haven't gotten my mark sheet. And those who have, they have received lopsided answer sheets.
15:36The handwriting doesn't match. So, I don't know what's happening, but it's really concerning, not just for us, but the
15:43future classes who have to now give that exam.
15:46What's your biggest concern, Ria? My biggest concern is that children, education is not just about scoring marks, it's about
15:54learning.
15:55But we're in this competitive world right now where everyone has to kind of show their marks in order to
16:00show something that they've learned.
16:02Fair point. And what is your personal immediate concern? Are you applying? Are deadlines looming large? You don't have your
16:08paper? What about revaluation?
16:10I wanted to give my papers to revaluation, but as everyone says, it takes a lot of time and my
16:16visa processes have started.
16:18So, I did not want that to be in danger. So, I don't know. I think I've just accepted my
16:23fate.
16:24But, of course, it's not going to be easy in the future as well. And it's time that the government
16:29takes action.
16:31Okay. So, both Ria and Raima, you both are fortunate and which is a very small minuscule percentage in this
16:38country.
16:39Fortunate that you both are not going to be, you know, you don't be dependent on the education system for
16:45applications within the country.
16:47Because I think both of you have chosen to study abroad.
16:49Yes.
16:50And that has, somewhere down the line, shielded you from at least what is the ongoing mess.
16:55I want to bring in right now, Mohamed Ayaan, also a CBSE student.
16:58Mohamed, have you been, are you also from the 12th standard?
17:03I am from the 12th standard. I just finished school this year.
17:07Okay. So, you have also pretty much faced the OSM marking system for the first time.
17:12What has been your experience, Ayaan?
17:15I have experienced that. I got my answer sheets after trying like five to six times to load the website.
17:21And then the answer sheets came at the last day possible.
17:25And then I checked them with the marking scheme and they gave me like 20 marks than they were supposed
17:31to
17:31because of the hurry checking that CBSE did.
17:37Explain that to us.
17:39Explain that I, even if I did not get,
17:44get good marks. In the end, I would have been satisfied if it was correct, but they gave me incorrect
17:50marks, which is what makes me unhappy.
17:52How have they given you, how have they, how have they incorrectly marked you?
17:55They gave me incorrect marks because I checked with my teachers that they expected a lot more of what I
18:02got.
18:02And I even rechecked the answer sheet I got by the marking scheme that CBSE issued. And it, it has
18:09been incorrectly marked. It does not match the marking scheme.
18:13How has it been? Have you been marked for a different question and your answer is different? How has there
18:17been? What, what are the discrepancies in your sheet? What subject?
18:23Let's say in business studies, I gave the answer exactly as it was supposed to be in the NCRT issued
18:30book, but then the examiner has marked that exact book did the answer as incorrect.
18:38And you saying you've, you've gotten this checked by your teachers who you study under in school, the same, the
18:45mark sheet that you've gotten right now.
18:48Yes, I have got this checked by my teacher, the one that used to teach me.
18:52And your teachers are saying that you've been incorrectly marked.
18:57Yes, I have also checked it with the CBSE marking scheme myself.
19:03All right. Okay. You know, the three of you stay on with us. I believe you're getting more news coming
19:07in. Lots of developments in the story.
19:09Sources say following the Prime Minister's intervention, both CBSE officials have been transferred.
19:13CBSE chairman, secretary transferred. The Prime Minister took direct and immediate action by removal of the officials after receiving reports
19:23of repeated failure.
19:24The Prime Minister has called for an investigation and pledged strict action against those found guilty.
19:29Primarily, the Prime Minister personally looking into the latest developments, the controversies that have come at the back of not
19:38just the tender that was issued by the CBSE for OSM, on-screen marking system, but also how there have
19:47been massive discrepancies, the portal which is not up.
19:50So it was at the behest of the Prime Minister that these two transfers were made.
19:54I want to go back to our panel right now. Dr. Jyoti Gupta is with us.
19:59And I believe we also have Pramoja Sharma, Vice President, Genesis Global School.
20:03But Dr. Jyoti Sharma, yesterday you were very sure and clear that the CBSE in itself is an institution which
20:11is above doubt.
20:12But clearly, it's not really above doubt, is it? Because today, you and I have circled back within 12 hours
20:18on news that the CBSE chairperson and secretary both have been transferred.
20:24See, CBSE as a system has been here for a long time. It has evolved over a long time.
20:31So I wouldn't say that it is not an institution which should be trusted or the trust of the students
20:41is eroded out of it.
20:42It is an institution. It comes under the government of India. It has performed for many, many years.
20:49We should keep our trust into the system and the action is being taken.
20:54I'm sure whatever discrepancies were there at the highest level, you are in your own bulletin showing that the Honorable
21:03Prime Minister himself is taking action.
21:06So I'm sure once the actions are taken, things will be back on track.
21:11All right. But at that back of it, there are 18 lakh students who are collateral to this action being
21:16taken.
21:16And as later, it's being taken. And right now, there is a portal which was finally, the portal has been
21:24upped by the CBSE.
21:26But as you can see, there is real lived experiences by these children, these students who are joining me right
21:32now, who are saying they've tried seven, eight times.
21:34And every time the portal crashes, and they're not being able to access their mark sheets.
21:39I want to bring in, stay with me ma'am. I want to bring in Pramod Sharma into this conversation
21:43as well.
21:44Pramod Sharma, the fact is now very clear that we are standing at the precipice where the rot runs as
21:50deep as it does.
21:51Because A, there are controversies, there are charges of corruption within what once was an institution, a haloed institution like
22:02the CBSE.
22:02That's not there anymore, is it?
22:05I agree with Jyoti there that there are very competent people also there.
22:11CBSE has performed all this through. This is a botched operation. No doubt about it.
22:17That a wrong vendor was hired and that vendor could not deliver.
22:24Now, two or three things I want to point out here.
22:27One is the deadline of higher education. Why can't higher education institutions not be persuaded to open in August instead
22:39of July?
22:40Because we need time for this OSM evaluation.
22:45But can I come in? Why should higher education shift their timeline for the incompetence of the CBSE?
22:51It's a question these three kids who are with me right now will be asking you, sir.
22:55No, what I am saying is, what about these kids?
22:59There are scripts when they apply for re-evaluation, the teachers are not in the schools.
23:04Who is going to re-evaluate? Some incompetent teachers in a hurry would be asked to re-evaluate and re
23:12-assess and again be back into square one.
23:14So, it is very important that this time the correction is done properly by competent teachers and they have all
23:23gone on leave.
23:24Can they, can this evaluation OSM be done wherever they are and the remuneration must be made double, triple so
23:35that it becomes attractive to them to come back.
23:38Otherwise, we have a big mess here.
23:41No, you're right. Because we do have a big mess here and it's a mess of our own making, sadly.
23:46Yes.
23:46And, you know, one can say that CBSE is a great institution but we cannot give CBSE a free pass
23:52right now just at the back of, oh, it has performed for so many years.
23:56What he's done right now, it's put the careers of 18 lakh students on practically on hold just because of
24:02its sheer incompetence.
24:04We absolutely agree with you there. There's no doubt.
24:08Alright, so, you know, Dr. Jyoti Gupta, what's the way out? Because now what does one do? You have to
24:13manually re-evaluate these papers. Clearly, it's not happening through OSM.
24:16So, the nodal centres have already been identified. The centres where the evaluation starts from tomorrow because the children who
24:28have been able to file for the re-evaluation today, the instructions have been very clear on the portal. So,
24:36the students are applying for the re-verification and the re-evaluation.
24:40But they can't, but Dr. Jyoti Gupta, this is theoretical. Ask these two kids who are sitting with me, both
24:46the girls. Every time they log into this portal, the portal crashes.
24:49No, I'm just answering the question that you asked that they are, how they are going to do their reporting
24:55process.
24:55But these are answers in theory. Practicality is very different. Because how do these kids, these two young girls, apply
25:02for re-evaluation when they haven't been able to access their mark sheets? Both of them don't have their mark
25:07sheets.
25:07They can't now apply for the re-evaluation because that window is over now. The children who had applied for
25:14the copies, who have seen their copies, are now able to apply for the re-evaluation.
25:19But what about, but Dr. Jyoti Gupta, not many people, and I really want to ask you this question, not
25:24many kids are as fortunate as a Ria and a Raima today. Because they don't need the re-evaluation because
25:29they are going abroad for their study.
25:31There are thousands of young kids today who, please hear my question ma'am. There are thousands of young kids
25:37today who have not been able to access their mark sheets and the re-evaluation date is over.
25:42And they are hoping to study, go for higher studies in India alone. Who answers to them ma'am?
25:47Just as Mr. Pramut Sharma said, that the Ministry of Education should push the deadlines of the higher education and
25:57the undergraduate courses, all the timelines, by a little more time, so that these children are able to apply to
26:05all the courses.
26:06And also the cutoffs, which are right now at a particular level, should be brought down for the children so
26:14that all children who have lost out on marks because of non-moderation and all, they are able to get
26:21into the colleges as well.
26:23So we need to speak about the solutions as to what should happen now so that the children, these children
26:30who are not scoring as well, they are given a relief in one or the other form.
26:35So the focus has to shift there now.
26:39Is it even possible?
26:41But Mr. Sharma, is it even possible to do that?
26:45Yes, it is possible to do that. We need to be patient. And it is possible everybody is very sympathetic.
26:51No children should feel that they were unfairly treated. The window must open for re-evaluation once again.
26:59And the teachers should be brought back. And physical marking is the best in today's day and time.
27:07TCS was the other company. I can't believe that TCS cannot have their system ready to be able to do
27:18the OSM again.
27:20You know, it's rather bizarre because some would suggest that rules were bent in a manner for tender or rather
27:27some would not suggest it's a question that needs to be asked.
27:31Were rules bent in a manner for the tendering process that co-empt EduTech backed the contract over TCS, which
27:39Dr. Pramod Sharma was speaking of.
27:43I want to go back to the kids now very quickly on that account.
27:46Ayaan, are you looking to study in India? Is that what you're looking at?
27:50And if you are looking at what are your options right now, what are you worried about?
27:56I am currently looking to study in India, yes. And my options is that I am eligible for universities that
28:04I want.
28:04But in the interview, they're asking me about my grades, which were affected by OSM.
28:11And I have to tell them that they were re-evaluated and have to be submitted for re-evaluation until
28:17CBSC opens the portal.
28:20What's your biggest fear, Ayaan?
28:24My biggest fear is that the deadline for re-evaluation runs out or the deadline for the college application runs
28:32out before I get my correct grades or correct mark sheet.
28:36That's your biggest fear. You know, we're going to try and amplify that fear because it is clear and present.
28:42I want to bring in Ria and Rima back into this conversation.
28:44Ria, you know, like I said, both of you girls are fairly lucky that you don't have to, you know,
28:50wait for your mark sheets, apply for re-evaluations.
28:52But I'm sure you have friends who are extremely worried and distraught. Ria, would you like to go first?
28:58100%. I feel even if we're going abroad, that does not matter because scholarships depend largely on your grades, how
29:06much you scored in your 12th.
29:08So, of course, we're fairly lucky, but I can't deny that it hasn't taken me by it.
29:13The emotional turmoil, all of it, I think all of us have experienced it.
29:18Talking about my friends, I was talking to my friend last night and she told me how she wanted to
29:24go to IIT Delhi and she's fairly intelligent.
29:26But she just said that my grades, I've scored an 80% and that's not nearly enough to get into
29:32a prestigious college like IIT Delhi.
29:35And as Sir and Ma'am pointed out, I don't think it's possible to shift the deadlines or to shift
29:40the starting dates of the undergrad courses because that is not possible because that would be done at a really
29:48huge scale.
29:48And one thing, if the papers are given by hand, I think the checking should also be done by hand.
29:54And overall, I feel the OSM experiment has not been successful at all.
30:00Well, basically, you feel like you were made guinea pigs of an experiment and you've paid the price of that.
30:05Raima, would you want to come and weigh in? Final comments. Raima.
30:08Yes, absolutely. You know, this experiment or any tender issue, whatever people may call it, it has left a scar
30:14on our future on a result.
30:15But as my sister pointed out, the scholarship largely depends upon your class 12 scores.
30:22And I think the issue is very large here. You cannot just shift the tender as and when, you know,
30:27whatever the issue is.
30:29We were made guinea pigs. Our results suffered. And that too, largely.
30:34And there were around 18 lakh students who appeared for the 12th class boards this year around.
30:39And how is it possible that almost all students are disappointed by the result?
30:44Our sleepless nights, our hard work and everything, it gave us nothing. It was all drained.
30:49It was all down the drain because CBSC failed to provide us with basic answer sheets, with basic checking.
30:58And I personally think that OSM should not be applicable anymore.
31:01Since CBSC has been following this tradition of checking papers by hand,
31:05it should continue the way that it has been continuing for many years.
31:10But Pramod Sharma, final comments from Dr. Gupta and you.
31:12Pramod Sharma, the fact is, you know, we were going through research.
31:14There's no country that really looks at OSM.
31:16India is the only country that's adopted this format.
31:21I will not know whether any other country does OSM.
31:24But the fact is that these children who have worked very hard, they are applying for re-evaluation.
31:31I'm again insisting on who is going to check now.
31:34The teachers have gone on leave and incompetent teachers should not be made to re-evaluate the answer sheets at
31:41this stage when children are applying.
31:43And they should, no children should be denied of this kind of permission just because the date is over and
31:51now they cannot apply for re-checking.
31:54They should be able to apply and the fees should be reduced.
31:58All right.
31:59Okay.
31:59So all of that should happen.
32:00They can only apply if they get their answer sheets.
32:02They haven't been able to access many of them, their answer sheets in the first, you know, and it is
32:07laughable.
32:07But the jokes on those poor kids, there are 18 lakhs of them.
32:10Dr. Gupta.
32:13So, if there are so many children who haven't been able to get the answer sheets, they should write to
32:20CBSC once.
32:21I'm sure they are going to be sympathetic.
32:24Ma'am, yesterday we had three kids on our show who have written 10 days ago.
32:2910 days?
32:30No, that is when the portal was still open.
32:32The children should write to CBSC once again.
32:35They should go to their schools, through their principals, through their schools, they should approach the CBSC.
32:41And they should tell them that we still need to see our copies.
32:44And I'm sure it is not as if it is etched in the stone.
32:49If through all this, you know, the hard work of the children, if we've been able to come this far,
32:56I'm sure the CBSC will comply and we'll give them their papers if they so desire.
33:03There are a lot of people, a lot of kids who have shown desire.
33:06Nothing has happened.
33:07The helpline number, nobody's really picking up.
33:08But having said that, I appreciate everyone for joining us.
33:11It's a conversation that we will continue in days to come.
33:14But right now, it's an absolute mess.
33:16And what has happened is, well, the prime minister has stepped in.
33:19The CBSC secretary chairperson has been transferred.
33:23But is that enough?
33:24No, not quite.
33:24We'll keep an eye on it.
33:25Let's quickly cut across to the other big developing political story this time.
33:28And it comes in from Tamil Nadu.
33:30Tamil Nadu has been in news for quite a while.
33:33The latest, where will Anna Malai go?
33:35The BJP's face in Tamil Nadu now seemingly wanting to leave the party and start his own outfit.
33:54Just days after the SMD elections in Tamil Nadu, another political quake is loading in the state.
34:03Coopter Neta and former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, K. Anna Malai is all set to leave the saffron fold.
34:11Anna Malai is expected to float his own party, which will have a nationalist approach.
34:39India Today accessed Inside Scoop, which revealed that Tamil Nadu's Singham has even turned down offer
34:45of Central Role and Rajasabha birth from BJP top brass.
34:50He even ruled out joining hands with any current Tamil Nadu parties, including TVK.
34:56This decision to exit BJP and float own party may have nothing to do with any internal BJP rift,
35:02but outcome of BJP's alliance with AIA-DMK.
35:06Anna Malai believes BJP's image of an anti-Dravedian party faded post-alliance with AIA-DMK.
35:14Anna Malai had strongly opposed the alliance with AIA-DMK and pushed for the party to contest independently.
35:20But top brass did not accept the suggestion.
35:24Now BJP leadership has advised Anna Malai to wait for some time as further discussions were on.
35:52Meanwhile, this has given fresh ammunition to DMK to corner Anna Malai,
35:56claiming he needs the BJP's approval even to quit.
36:00To start a new party, he is seeking permission from BJP head.
36:04Funny thing, he is already a BJP man.
36:08Now he wants to start a new party for which he is seeking the permission of this BJP.
36:13Anything will happen in BJP politics.
36:16That much I can say.
36:20Tamil Nadu politics is witnessing a new political shurn.
36:24But can Anna Malai's new outfit challenge Vijay and the Dravedian giants?
36:29Bureau Report, India Today.
36:35So what's up with Anna Malai?
36:36Let's cut across to our political panelists this evening.
36:39Joining me, Suman C. Raman, political analyst, Shekhar Raya, senior journalist, Narayan Lakshman, opinion editor, the Hindu.
36:45Let's begin with Mr. Lakshman.
36:47Mr. Lakshman, posturing or clear political intent?
36:50Where do you put Anna Malai?
36:52Well, the man has clear political intent, Pritif, because he has always been a standout character in the sense, even
37:02from his early days, he came into this as an IPS officer, an IAM graduate, and many other sort of
37:08urban and sort of educated class credentials.
37:12But at the same time, he had a common man appeal as well, to the point of media stunts that
37:18at the time he whipped himself for a cause and so forth.
37:21So in that sense, he stands apart.
37:23But he also stands apart for his being very outspoken vocal, which, again, places him at slight odds with the
37:32BJP's classic functioning style, which is they maintain very tight discipline, solidarity, camaraderie, but they work as a single machine.
37:40So that's why I think even these comments about how unusual that he would go to Delhi to speak to
37:45the national leadership of the BJP, whether to quit or to get a new position,
37:50or to make a new start, it is quite unusual to see that.
37:54So in that sense, the BJP is probably itself calculating as to whether to keep this person on board, on
38:01side, and try and strike a deal where he could capture a new space within Tamil Nadu politics,
38:07because indeed that has opened up a bit at this current juncture, or should they simply part ways with respect
38:13and let him go on his own and make his fortune and see whether it's a make or break.
38:16And if he succeeds, then, you know, find a way to build a bridge with him.
38:21So I don't think the story is over yet between Annamalaya and the BJP either way.
38:25But at the same time, it's going to be a very interesting experiment, as interesting as the Vijay and TVK
38:31experiment itself was, to see whether the space is opened up and someone else can make their mark.
38:37All right, so Mansi Raman, but a political experiment would also demand political prudence.
38:41And some would suggest five years before an election is too soon.
38:46First of all, Priti, the entire way he is going about things, if indeed his intention is to leave the
38:53party, is quite strange.
38:56You know, okay, you probably meet the party president, hand over your resignation, it's fine.
39:01You meet the party president, then go and meet Mr. Amit Shah.
39:05Then the Tamil Nadu state BJP president is immediately asked to rush to Delhi in the evening.
39:12Why? If somebody is leaving the party, why should the incumbent state president be called to Delhi in a hurry?
39:22So something is going on, which hopefully we will get to understand tomorrow or day after.
39:28The other point is really that Mr. Annamalaya has been given not just a long rope, an extraordinarily long rope
39:38by the BJP.
39:39Within two years of joining the party, he becomes a state party president.
39:43He is one of the few BJP leaders I can think of in India who have sort of thrown down
39:51gauntlet to the high command and they have kept quiet.
39:55And last week he started by being critical of the three language policy.
39:59I mean, how many BJP leaders have criticized the policies of the central government and still maintain a very cordial
40:06equation?
40:06So the idea is the BJP somehow seems to be giving their blessings to him, whether he continues in the
40:19party or whether he goes outside to function as a kind of a proxy for the party.
40:25Maybe the BJP feels that in Tamil Nadu, they are not able to make a breakthrough as the BJP.
40:31Maybe they could push, Mr. Annamalaya could take a lot of independent lines.
40:37For example, the three language policy or the NEET exam and so many other things, which he could not do
40:44as a member of the BJP.
40:46So maybe they want to see if he could chart an independent political course backed behind the scenes by the
40:54BJP and at some point, you know, create a pro-BJP environment in the state.
41:00So I don't think that he is rebelling against the BJP.
41:05And there are, you know, if the BJP wants to put, turn the screws on him, there is enough material,
41:13you know, to do so.
41:14So clearly, this seems to be some strategy of the BJP to do it.
41:19Though why they are making it so open seems very, very clear.
41:23Annamalaya, which of the two opinions, because they clearly differed the last two opinions, do you concur with?
41:31Well, you know, this is what is happening is a very, very strange drama, Prithi.
41:37You know, I think if you look at it, the timing of this whole thing that is happening is just
41:43before the Rajeshava elections.
41:46June 8th is the last date.
41:48And his grouse has been that when he was asked to make way for Nainar Nagedran, the present BJP chief,
41:56that he would be accommodated somewhere at the central level, either in the central party or probably in the union
42:02government.
42:02And he would get a birth as a Rajeshava member.
42:06But this was an open talk, talk in the BJP circles.
42:09He has been upset that that part of the promise made to him, that is what his people say, was
42:15not, you know, kept up.
42:17Now, today, what do we see is, you know, he has before leaving Chennai, he has spoken to many people
42:23and stories have appeared quoting sources close to him as to what are his plans?
42:29What is that party going to be?
42:30How that party will also, you know, speak for minorities, then for minorities within Hindus?
42:36You know, all kinds of new formulations, you know, which, and these are not coming without his, you know, what
42:44I would call authorized kind of ideas, which are, you know, coming.
42:48Now, what is his plan?
42:50Because the question Dr. Sumitri Raman asked, if you want to go, you go, no?
42:56That means you don't, I mean, it looks like as if he doesn't want to leave, you know, his departure,
43:02I can't remember, you know, when Adav Arjuna left VCK.
43:06You know, Adav Arjuna, who is a very powerful man in the new government in Tamil Nadu, he met Thirma
43:11Malavan before he left that party.
43:13So, similarly, Annamalai wants to meet all the people there before leaving the party.
43:17Now, this whole thing is, now, I am also surprised by the central leadership has responded.
43:23Because suddenly they realized, because of, you know, people like Guru Murthy saying, no, no, Annamalai is the future of
43:29BJP, you should keep him.
43:31But at the same time, everybody knows what exactly the central BJP leadership has felt about his handling of the
43:38Loksop elections of 2024,
43:40and also about the funds and finances of Loksop elections.
43:43There has been a lot of questions asked to raise how the resources were used.
43:47And then, finally, you know, see, they went with him when he suggested they should go it alone in the
43:53Loksop elections.
43:54That did not give results.
43:56Yes, BJP's vote percentage went up.
43:58But people have been also saying, look, if they had joined hands with the ADMK, they could have won more
44:03seats.
44:04I mean, simply registering, increasing percentages of an academic purpose in an election where you have to win seats.
44:10Now, after that, when the central leadership decided, look, our goal is to prevent the DMK from returning to power.
44:17That's very important.
44:18So, that is why they decided that there should be no split in the opposition modes.
44:25Now, after that, you know, he publicly agrees, then disagrees.
44:29He kept on making statements.
44:30And throughout, in this run-up to the assembly election, I mean, he was one day with the central leadership's
44:38view.
44:38The other day, he had his own thing.
44:40He went on giving statements.
44:42And finally, I mean, Shada asked him, look, stop it till the elections are over.
44:46And then he was provided a helicopter for campaigning.
44:49Now, you see, the both sides have to decide what exactly they want from each other.
44:53Because Andamalai approaches, my way or highway, today he's ready to look for his highway.
44:59But suddenly, they realize, no, no, he has to be...
45:02Because there are people who are advising the central leadership, don't let him go.
45:06But he feels that, and probably I believe, at this moment, the existing opposition parties,
45:13be it the DMK or ADMK, are not in a position to hit the streets against Vijay.
45:18Because it is, after a drubbing they have got, and the kind of opportunity they have lost, they can't go.
45:23So, probably he's filling that space, and he may be backed by many of them to do what he wishes
45:28to do.
45:29Okay, so he sees that political space and he wants to fill it.
45:33Okay, Sumansi Raman, you want to come in? Quickly make your point, sir.
45:35Yeah, yeah, but just two quick points, sir, Priti.
45:38One, look, during the campaign, before the campaign,
45:42Andamalai was appointed as an in-charge for six seats.
45:46He then said, my father is unwell, I will not be participating in the campaign.
45:50They kept quiet.
45:51Two weeks later, or three weeks later, he joins the campaign and starts campaigning.
45:56And he goes around about 15-20 constituencies.
46:00So, this whole myth that has been created, that, you know, if Anamalai comes in,
46:05you know, he's going to get 30% vote share and all that.
46:07I don't know.
46:08I mean, he is huge on social media.
46:12On the ground, he has contested two elections and lost both of them.
46:16So, what are we talking about?
46:18This whole image that has been created larger than life.
46:22Vijay contested a first election and has become the chief minister.
46:26So, I think that there is a little bit of overestimation of his capabilities,
46:31thanks to his media-savvy image.
46:35Yesterday morning...
46:35You know, Sumansi Raman, I think we should all, for a, you know,
46:38at least for a moment, step back and bite our tongues a little,
46:40because we all knew how Vijay went about and the discussions we had in studios
46:44of how he was being overestimated.
46:46Absolutely.
46:47So, I think it will serve all of us well to...
46:50Absolutely.
46:50Yeah.
46:51Absolutely, I accept that.
46:52One quick point.
46:53Yesterday morning, reporters asked him at the airport.
46:57He is not somebody who is hesitant to talk to the media.
47:00He loves it.
47:01Okay?
47:01Yesterday, they asked him at the airport, asked Annamalai,
47:05are you forming a new party?
47:07It was asked in explicit terms.
47:09Are you quitting the BJP and forming a new party?
47:12His reply was not, no, I am not.
47:15His reply was, wait for two days.
47:17I will meet you all and tell you.
47:18So, clearly, the intent is either to quit the party or to use the threat of quitting the party
47:27or to get a better deal for himself.
47:29My point is...
47:30All right.
47:30So, Narayan Lakshman, is that what he's angling for?
47:33A better deal for himself?
47:35The party is in 17 states.
47:36Why are they bowing and...
47:38Narayan Lakshman?
47:41Look, Priti, I think one thing plays in his favor
47:44and has actually given him enormous currency
47:46and made him the man of the moment.
47:48And that is that his call on the ADMK turned out to be right.
47:52Okay?
47:52The BJP is extremely astute.
47:55Prime Minister Modi and Omin Samir Shah are extremely astute political managers more than anything.
48:00And they know that the ADMK is a party that is in implosion mode right now.
48:06It's imploding and giving away MLAs daily to the TVK.
48:10So, Annamalai in that sense has been proved, right?
48:13And his challenge now, however, is insurmountable in one sense
48:17because if he stays with the BJP, he has to practice its brand of politics.
48:22Let's step back and look at who is pushing what kinds of values
48:25and political arguments in a very unique state like Tamil Nadu.
48:29The BJP itself has...
48:31Its seat numbers dropped from four to one
48:34because it didn't get traction with classic old-school saffron politics.
48:41At the same time, there is an opening for someone like Annamalai
48:45to practice values which complement or fill the vacuum that the TVK is leaving.
48:51So, Vijay has come into power, but yet he is talking about what seems to be neo-Dravidianism
48:56or soft Dravidianism or something in between.
48:59But is he talking about jobs?
49:01Is he talking about how AI is impacting people?
49:04Is he talking about immigration?
49:06And what are the Tamil youth needing?
49:08So, there is a space for someone like Annamalai to articulate into and occupy
49:13if he has that vision.
49:15So, he is at an inflection point, Preeti, and I feel that if he takes the right call
49:20with who he allies with or builds it on his own, he could be someone to reckon with.
49:25I am just saying it is too early to rule him out.
49:27All right.
49:27Too early to rule him out.
49:29I appreciate all three gentlemen for taking the time out this evening joining us.
49:32I am sure we will have you again.
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