Paper Leaks, Internet Shutdowns and Ashok Gehlot (Love Triangle)

To prevent government teacher recruitment exam question paper leaks, internet services have been suspended in eight cities of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, where the exam started on Saturday for three days. Despite this (any many times in the past) the paper (REET) was leaked in Rajasthan.

The internet services have been shut down in eight cities of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, to prevent the incidents of question paper leak of government teachers recruitment exam that commenced from 25th February, 2023.

This is not the first time that internet services have been shut down. According to multiple reports on internet shutdowns in India, Rajasthan has become a hub for such shutdowns after Jammu and Kashmir.Suspension of Internet services for 85 times in the last 10 years is being termed as 'Digital Emergency in Rajasthan.

Even last year REET, 2022 was leaked despite Internet Shutdown. Clamping down on Internet therefore is not helping the enforcement agencies in preventing the paper leak

On the other hand it is clamping down on the businesses across Rajasthan who are dependent on internet services. State as per a report bears crores of Rs of loss during internet shutdowns. 

Food delivery partners and cab aggregators are largely affected by this decision.  Businesses are most affected since their finances are centred around online payments. In areas which are tourist heavy in Udaipur and Jaipur as well, including Uber and Ola drivers have not been able to earn money as online payment systems or apps don’t work, hampering jobs and livelihood.

Elections are approaching in Rajasthan and frequent internet clampdowns and the paper leak will definitely impinge upon the political image of Ashok Gehlot let government.

Frequently, the state police encounter issues because the state administration does not make public the orders to shut down internet services. The reason given is often Section 81A of the RTI act, which suggests that such information could potentially harm the sovereignty of the country.

Our team at The Philox also made a video pertinent to rampant paper leaks in Rajasthan. Do watch and share.