Penal action likely against Bengal students who wrote political slogans on answer sheet

Kolkata: Authorities in West Bengal have warned students taking the ongoing class 12 exam against jotting down political slogans on their answer papers.

There will be penal action on students who replicate a political slogan in the ongoing examinations, authorities reportedly warned.

A section of class 10 students earlier taking the board examinations had written on their answer papers the political slogan of the ruling Trinamool Congress ' Khela Hobe' ( there will be a game), according to a PTI report.

A number of students taking the Madhyamik examination concluded last month - conducted by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education for class 10 - scribbled the slogan on their answer papers.

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) said it would take penal action against students writing any slogan or political messages on the answer papers for Madhyamik examination, popularly known as Higher Secondary (HS) exam for class 12.

As well as directing examiners not to evaluate such papers, WBCHSE decided to punish students scribbling down political slogans or messages; alongside a high-powered committee, according to WBCHSE President Chiranjib Bhattacharya, would decide on the quantum of punishment.

Bhattacharya said that writing slogans, messages or controversial issues violating the rules and guidelines of the WBCHSE would invite strict action.

Educationist Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri welcomed the decision, saying that no ruling party should politicise the education sector and influence impressionable minds.

The HS exams began on April 2 and would continue till April 27, PTI reported.