TET paper leak: Opposition legislators protest, walk out of Maharashtra assembly

A view of the Vidhan Bhavan building in Mumbai. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Maharashtra state legislature erupted in protests on Monday (June 29, 2026) as opposition lawmakers demonstrated on the steps of Vidhana Bhavan and later walked out of the chamber, accusing the government of a total failure to prevent the leak of exam papers, including the recent Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

Senior leaders, including Nana Patole, alleged that those behind the TET and NEET leaks were linked to the BJP and demanded a comprehensive probe into the examination process.

Opposition members have raised slogans against the state government over the alleged TET paper leak and its decision to conduct the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations in online mode.

Opposition legislators led by Congress’ Satej Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad demonstrated on the steps of Vidhana Bhavan.

In the House, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar pointed out that repeated paper leaks have tarnished the image of the state and jeopardized the future of millions of students and teachers.

As soon as the House met for the day, Mr. Wadettiwar sought an adjournment to discuss the paper leak issue.

He questioned the government’s inability to conduct the exams in a transparent manner despite thousands of candidates preparing for them for several years.

The Congress MLA demanded a comprehensive probe into the TET paper leak, including the agencies involved in preparing the question papers, the companies associated with the examination process and the entire network behind the alleged scam.

“While three individuals have been arrested, their alleged links with individuals in other states point to a larger network that needs to be uncovered,” he said.

Referring to the 2018 TET scam, Mr. Wadettiwar alleged that one of the accused, Abhishek Sawarikar, was later inducted into the BJP.

He also raised questions about the alleged role of a company called Crystal, claiming the development raised serious doubts about the government’s handling of the matter.

Demanding a detailed discussion in the assembly, Mr. Wadettiwar urged the government to take strict action against those responsible and announce concrete measures to prevent similar incidents in future. Education Minister Dada Bhuse said the government would make a detailed statement.

Following this, the opposition staged a walkout after accusing the government of not providing a satisfactory response on the matter and not allowing adequate discussion.

Ahead of the day’s proceedings, opposition legislators staged a protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan, raising slogans and apparently referring to Education Minister Dada Bhuse and his Malegaon Assembly constituency.

Opposition leaders shouted slogans claiming that while the TET paper was leaked in Bhiwandi, “the money went to Malegaon”, in an apparent jab at Mr Bhus.

Senior Congress leader Nana Patole, while talking to reporters, alleged that those involved in the TET and NEET paper leak cases were linked to the BJP.

“The TET paper leak is the work of BJP. Even in the NEET paper leak case, those involved are allegedly connected with the party. We want to ask if the NEET and TET exams are not being sabotaged at the expense of the students,” he said.

Mr. Patole argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had no moral right to remain in office in the wake of repeated leaks of exam papers.

“The government may not be interested in TET aspirants, but we want a discussion on the issue of paper leakage in both the houses of the legislature as we are worried about the future of the students,” he added.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 13:10 IST