Congress, SP ruined students' future: UP CM Adityanath at Fatehpur amid NEET paper leak row

Fatehpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hit out at the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress, accusing them of ruining the future of students and youths, while crediting the Narendra Modi government for taking stringent steps against examination paper leaks and "copying mafia".

Addressing a public meeting in Fatehpur district, Adityanath said the previous SP government had neglected development, farmers and the youth.

Referring to the Centre's proposed anti-paper leak legislation, the chief minister welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent decisions to curb examination malpractices.


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"The Union Cabinet has approved a law under which those who play with the future of students by leaking question papers will face a minimum of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. The Bill will now come before Parliament. The copying mafia will be wiped out; no one can save them," Adityanath said.

He alleged that "the copying mafia is the legacy of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party", and that they nurtured and protected these elements, and "today they are shedding crocodile tears."

The chief minister said action had already been initiated against those involved in examination irregularities.

"Those responsible for leaking the NEET question paper have been arrested. You also saw that 37 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) have been dismissed from service. Their properties will be attached, and they will be punished. These are steps taken by Prime Minister Modi keeping in mind the bright future of students, on which the future of the country depends," he said.

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Adityanath also praised the Centre's initiatives for youth, including Startup India, Stand-Up India and the National Education Policy (NEP), saying they had created new opportunities for young people.

"The National Education Policy has enabled India's youth to compete globally. Today, when our young people go abroad, they carry themselves with pride and earn respect. I welcome these decisions on behalf of the youth and students of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Targeting the previous SP government, the chief minister alleged that Fatehpur had remained underdeveloped before 2017 due to corruption and poor governance.

"Fatehpur was a backward district. There were no proper roads, no healthcare facilities, no industrial investment and young people faced an identity crisis. Jobs were looted by the 'SP syndicate'. Between 2012 and 2017, recruitments were mired in controversy, merit was ignored, and deserving candidates did not get jobs," he alleged.

Adityanath claimed that after 2017, Uttar Pradesh had witnessed significant improvements in infrastructure, connectivity and investment under the BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi and the state government.

He said Fatehpur, once considered backward, was now witnessing better connectivity, industrial growth and opportunities for youth under the "double-engine government".