The Pre-University chemistry second-year re-examination that was scheduled to be held on Thursday has been cancelled due to the question paper leak.
Last week, the exam was cancelled by the Department of Pre University Education as the papers were leaked. The exam was therefore rescheduled.
Several students are protesting against the Board while the parents are demanding for the resignation of the education minister Kimmane Ratnakar. Few agitated students turned violent and started pelting stones, damaging glass windows at the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) building, police said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured CID probe into the PU paper leak. Siddaramaiah has turned down the parents’ appeal for the education minister’s resignation.
Over 1.7 lakh students have been affected by the chemistry paper leak.
According to the sources, the preliminary inquiry into the first case of the paper leak had revealed that it was leaked near an examination centre in a women’s college at Ballari.
Amid a surcharged atmosphere in front of the DPUE building, a parent went upto the terrace and threatened to jump, saying there are no officials present to listen to their plight. But he was persuaded against doing so and brought down.
Another student fainted during the protest and was shifted to hospital, police said.
The issue also rocked the Assembly, where Opposition BJP members staged a dharna and raised slogans, demanding the resignation of Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar.
“The CID is investigating the matter and the government is very serious about it. They are finding out who the culprits are – whether they are insiders or outsiders,” Home Minister G Parameshawara told reporters.
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He said the matter is serious as it concerns the future of lakhs of students and added that once the CID submits its report, the government would not only take action against the guilty but also take precautionary measures to avoid such things from happening.
Raising their voice in protest against the re-examination for the second time, students refused to take another re-exam.
“Why should we take another examination, and that too for the second time in 10 days? Why cannot the government take security measures to prevent such incidents from taking place?,” some students at the protest site asked.
Another student said they are facing the added tension of appearing for the coming competitive examinations.
“We are tense as the board has once again cancelled the exam. Where do we have time to appear for competitive examinations?” she said.
The date for the next re-examination is yet to be decided.
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