UP: Four Pharmacy Students Get 50% Marks For Writing "Jai Shri Ram" And Names Of Cricket Stars In Answer Sheets

In Uttar Pradesh, four students were reportedly awarded 50 percent marks after they wrote nothing but “Jai Shri Ram” and names of some star cricketers. The D Pharma (Diploma in Pharmacy) students were from the UP”s state-run Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal (VBSP) University in Jaunpur.

The issue came to light after an RTI (Right To Information) was filed by former University student Divyanshu Singh. Singh demanded re-evaluation of the answer sheet of 18 students of the first-year pharmacy course. As per Deccan Herald sources, the University has recommended the dismissal two teachers who allegedly awarded the marks.

After re-checking the answer sheets of the students, it was found that the “Jai Shri Ram” slogans and names of many leading Indian and international cricketers appeared in the answer sheet in many places. After re-checking, the students were awarded zero marks.

As per Deccan Herald, the Singh sent the details to state governor, who is also the chancellor of the University, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter. Addressing the issue, the Raj Bhavan ordered investigation into the matter in December last year. A committee was reportedly formed by the Varsity for the probe and based on the report of the committee, action was recommended against two teachers involved. After eight months of the investigation, the committee confirmed the allegations.

A senior Varsity official said that, “we have recommended termination of two faculty members of the Pharmacy department…they will be sacked once we receive clearance from the Raj Bhavan”, as quoted by Deccan Herald.

According to Free Press Journal, the incident happened in last August. As per the report, Singh, who filed the RTI, accused the teachers of taking money from students and allowing them to pass even though they had not written the correct answer.