The accusations levelled by Bihar’s deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha (of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)) against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav’s private secretary Pritam Kumar (a Bihar Administrative Service officer), regarding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak scandal may be contentious, but one fact remains indisputable — Ranjit Don — the notorious mastermind behind question paper leak scandals, was fielded as a candidate by the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), a BJP ally, in the 2015 biennial legislative council election on July 7. Despite his dubious reputation, Ranjit Don has now become an ‘honourable’ man and a sought-after figure among politicians, particularly those associated with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
In 2015, the BJP contested 18 legislative council seats, leaving one seat each for the LJP and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party. Was it fair for an NDA constituent to give ticket to Ranjit Don for the Upper House of the Bihar assembly, given his history of involvement in question paper leaks? His criminal record dates back over a quarter of a century, and he has been accused of leaking question papers for various competitive exams, including CAT, CBSE medical entrance examinations, and PG medical tests.
Also read: In Haryana, Six Toppers Wrote the NEET Exam at a School Run by a BJP Leader’s Family
Despite his notoriety, he was given a ticket by the LJP for the Hilsa seat in Nalanda district in the 2005 assembly election and he faced defeat. He also contested as an Independent candidate from Begusarai in the 2004 Lok Sabha poll, securing an impressive 67,500 votes while in jail. His wife and brother had campaigned extensively for him. He was later released on bail.
After the 2004 Lok Sabha poll, Ranjit Don claimed that he had deliberately avoided fighting election from Nalanda as a gesture to fellow caste-man and Janata Dal (United) leader, Nitish Kumar. He claimed that if he had contested, he would have defeated Nitish Kumar, leveraging his strong support base among his Kurmi caste, which has a significant presence in Nalanda, the district with the highest concentration of Kurmis in Bihar.
Early life
Ranjit Don’s early life was marked by controversy, having gained admission to Darbhanga Medical College in 1994 through fraudulent means. His involvement in competitive exam rackets even outside Bihar from a very young age has been well-documented, and his name has also been linked to the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh. Despite this, neither the LJP nor the BJP leaders shy away from associating with him.
During one of the Lok Sabha polls held in 1990s, the media had reported that Ranjit Don donated a substantial amount of money to a prominent national politician’s election campaign — this politician in question was from another state but used to contest from Bihar. His political ambitions are, therefore, a well-known fact, and his wealth, estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, has been amassed through exam rackets, making him a significant player in the world of competitive exams.
Indifference of judiciary, media and role of the political executive
The judiciary and media have shown little interest in pursuing convictions for those involved in exam rackets, despite the devastating impact on meritorious students. The lack of accountability and political patronage have emboldened gangs involved in exam malpractices, making it increasingly challenging to curb these activities.
The recent NEET paper leak scandal has raised questions about the involvement of big fish and political patronage. The near absence of political executives from administrative scenes has given bureaucrats a free hand, leading to a lack of accountability. The politicisation of administration has adverse effects on the system, and it remains to be seen if anyone will be held accountable for the NEET paper leak scandal.
Ranjit Don, originally from Khaddi Lodhipur village in Nalanda district’s Hilsa block, excelled in the pre-online competitive exam era. However, his notoriety persists, and his name surfaces whenever a paper leak occurs in India.
He is credited with establishing Nalanda as the epicentre of question paper leak rackets. A senior journalist revealed that Begusarai previously held this notorious status, implicating influential members of a particular upper caste. However, following the Mandalization of society, Nalanda, incidentally the home district of chief minister Nitish Kumar, became the hub. Other key players hail from Vaishali district, with Patna situated between the two. The racket’s tentacles have now spread far and wide.
Also read: A Score of 711 Out of 720 and a Dream Diminished: The NEET Story in Jhajjar
The current crop of gangsters, post-2010, are more tech-savvy and cunning. This is because competitive examinations are now held online, and smartphones have become ubiquitous, unlike in the 1990s and early 2000s. The involvement of powerful individuals and political patronage enables these gangs to thrive.
Despite measures like CCTV cameras and jammers in exam centres, question paper leaks continue unabated across India. The absence of political executives from administrative roles has emboldened these gangsters. As political authority focuses on elections and other activities, the permanent executive (bureaucracy), , gets a field day. This is simply because they are not accountable to the voters.
The NEET result’s early announcement on June 4, instead of June 14, raises questions. Was it to avoid scrutiny amidst the BJP’s election celebrations? Students protested irregularities in Haryana and Gujarat, suspecting foul play when 67 candidates scored 720 out of 720 marks. In Bihar, news of the leak emerged just after May 5 — the exam day — but was suppressed due to the election season.
While the NEET controversy rages on, the cancelled NET exam on June 18 has garnered little attention. The politicisation of administration has severe systemic consequences. During the 2021 coronavirus surge (second wave), the BJP ministers in Bihar, including health minister Mangal Pandey, were campaigning in West Bengal, neglecting their duties. The BJP politicians and ministers from other states like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh were also busy in that campaign to throw out the Mamata Banerjee government.
Now, the big question is: Will anyone be held accountable? If Ranjit Don can be rewarded with a party ticket by an NDA constituent, one hesitates to keep one’s fingers crossed. The poor and laborious students will continue to suffer.
Soroor Ahmed is a Patna-based freelance journalist.
