Maharashtra students protest against offline exams for Class 10, 12; Story so far

NEW DELHI: Hundreds of students staged protests against the Maharashtra government’s decision to hold offline exams amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The students gathered in Dharavi, Mumbai, which is near the residence of Maharashtra education minister Varsha Gaikwad to demand online exams for Class 10, 12.

Following the protest, the Maharashtra police lathi-charged students to bring the situation under control, according to various media reports.

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Defending the government’s decision, Varsha Gaikwad said, “We've been continuously discussing students' health and safety. I told students to have discussions with me; I'll decide further. But we also have to keep in mind the two-year loss in school students' education.”

The protest erupted after a YouTuber, identified as Vikas Fhatak aka Hindustani Bhau, allegedly urging students to gather outside the education minister’s house to protest against the offline exams went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai police said they will take action against a YouTuber. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone V, Pranay Ashok said, “The action will be taken as per the law against anyone responsible for instigating students."

“The agitation by students on the streets is not right. There was a deliberate attempt to make it happen. An order has been issued to the police department to look into the matter, the report will be submitted in two days,” Maharashtra Home Minister Walse Patil said on Tuesday, as per ANI.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Students protested outside State School Education Minster Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad's house, against offline exams

Students' demand is online exams for classes 10th & 12th, in view of #COVID19 crisis. We tried convincing & dispersing them:DCP Pranay Ashok pic.twitter.com/ieqAmhq0rs

— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2022

However, students have been demanding online exams on social media. They have also raised concerns over the shortage of time to complete the syllabus before the upcoming Maharashtra board exams 2022.

Also read | CBSE Term 1 Result 2022 Live: Updates on Class 10th, 12th results date, term 2 date sheet, syllabus

According to the Times of India report, Varsha Gaikwad said, “There are over 15 lakh each in SSC and HSC board who take exams every year and preparation begins at least three months in advance and change in format will only cause confusion and panic among students.”

Meanwhile, a Twitter user wrote, “Majority of students don't want offline exams this report says that 3.5 lakh Maharashtra board students take part. Only for 20-25% government is going to conduct exam offline and other 75-80% what they will do now.”

#cancelboardexams2022
Majority of students don't want offline exams this report says that 3.5 lakh maharashtra board student take part.
Only for 20-25% government is going to conduct exam offline and other 75-80% what they will do now @VarshaEGaikwad please you can't ignore this. pic.twitter.com/kv18cIdad2

— One man (@ONE1MAN_) February 1, 2022

Another student said, “We the students of Maharashtra board are ready to give offline exams as scheduled if Varsha E Gaikwad ma’am have proof and says in front of the media that the teachers have completed the whole syllabus without any network issue and to each and every student of Maharashtra. #postponeboardexam2022.”

We the students of #mhboard are ready to give offline exams as scheduled if @VarshaEGaikwad mam have proof and says in front of the media that the teachers have completed whole syllabus without any network issue and to each and every student of Maharashtra. #postponeboardexam2022

— Anushri Soni (@anushrisoni_) January 31, 2022