Take Vyapam probe outside MP

The skeletons in cupboards in several BJP-run states, as well as at the Centre, are coming rattling out and their likely political fallout is unknowable at this stage, but it is the sordid crime scene in Madhya Pradesh’s state professional examination board — or Vyapam, as it is popularly called — which cries out for urgent attention because here irregularities of a huge order have evidently gone hand in hand with murder on a significant scale. It appears that more than 40 persons who are in the category of the accused, or are legally described as witnesses, have died since 2013 when the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government ordered an inquiry under rising political pressure. Most of these deaths have been in unnatural circumstances, with motor accidents taking the heaviest toll.

Nothing of note has been revealed so far. It seems the state-level inquiry will serve the purpose of shielding the guilty, rather than bringing wrong-doers to book. Such a state of affairs cannot inspire confidence. The scandal in the examination board pertains to deep-rooted corruption in the selection process for medical seats in the state, as well as recruitment of government employees. Hundreds of thousands of candidates apply. The idea is that those eligible to take these exams will have a level playing field.

The root of the scandal is that the match is being fixed, with political players at the top, as well as top-level state officials, thought to be on the take. Fingers have pointed at CM Chouhan himself. The governor was also brought into the ambit of suspicion. There is a strong resemblance to money being taken for the selection of teachers under the erstwhile O.P. Chautala regime in Haryana. The CM eventually landed in jail.

In the Vyapam case, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh is now knocking on the doors of the SC, urging it to take charge of the investigation. Those conducting the state-level inquiry report to the chief minister. In the circumstances, that can only strengthen suspicions of a cover-up.

This is not a matter concerning BJP and the Congress. The issue concerns ordinary citizens who sit for the Vyapam exams but don’t stand a fair chance because senior members of the government favour those who offer money. MP is by no means unique when it comes to unfair means as reports about competitive examinations held across the country suggest. But in Madhya Pradesh, the high and mighty are under suspicion.