The Paper Leak That Shook Uttarakhand’s Faith in Governance

Uttarakhand finds itself once again in the eye of a storm, not because of natural calamity, but due to a man-made betrayal—the leak of the Group C examination paper. What was supposed to be a fair and transparent recruitment process across all districts of the Himalayan state turned into a scandal that has shaken the faith of thousands of aspirants and citizens alike. The examination, closely monitored by officers at multiple levels, was compromised before it even began. The poachers, well-placed and well-prepared, intercepted the process with surgical precision—catching the ball before it could reach the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

The leak has triggered widespread anger, distress, and disillusionment, especially among the youth. The Uttarakhand Berozgar Sangh, a grassroots organization that has consistently fought for transparency and employment rights, played a pivotal role in exposing the breach. Their agitation, which began in the capital, quickly spread to districts across the state. Champawat, the assembly constituency of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, became a focal point of protest, with demands for his resignation and arrest echoing through the streets. The students and unemployed youth, betrayed once again, are not just protesting—they are mourning the loss of trust.

What makes this scandal even more disturbing is the irony surrounding the Chief Minister himself. Dhami was recently felicitated by the Centre for passing the much-hyped “Nakal Virodhi Kanoon”—a law aimed at curbing cheating and malpractice in examinations. The law, passed after considerable resistance from within his own party, was hailed as a landmark reform. But now, it appears to be nothing more than a decorative cover. The inner workings of the system remain rotten, and the law has failed to prevent the very crime it was designed to eliminate.

The Berozgar Sangh has raised serious questions: Is this a one-off incident, or part of a larger, systemic rot? The arrest of one Mr. Khalid, allegedly the mastermind, offers little solace. What about Hakam Singh, a name repeatedly linked to paper leak cases, who has been arrested multiple times but continues to operate with impunity? Though out on bail, his history is well documented. The video circulating online, showing a youth demanding ₹15 lakh with a guarantee of selection—or a refund if not selected—has only added fuel to the fire. It is not just a scam; it is a mockery of merit.

The fact that this entire operation was uncovered by a civil association and not by the state machinery is a damning indictment of governance. If a group of unemployed youth can trace the leak, why couldn’t the state’s examination authorities, equipped with resources and intelligence networks? Why were the secretaries of examination not suspended? Why has no investigation been launched against them? These questions point to a disturbing possibility—that the government is more interested in shielding the culprits than in delivering justice.

This scandal has jolted the state’s conscience. The chair of the Chief Minister is reportedly under threat, with murmurs of dissent growing louder within his own political circles. His colleagues are distancing themselves from the mess, and some are even calling for a change in leadership. The damage is not just administrative—it is moral. When the youth of a state lose faith in the fairness of recruitment, the very foundation of democracy begins to crack.

Uttarakhand deserves better. Its students deserve better. The Berozgar Sangh has done what the government failed to do—expose the truth. But exposure is not enough. Accountability must follow. The paper leak is not just a breach of protocol; it is a breach of trust. And unless the state acts decisively, the consequences will echo far beyond this examination. They will shape the future of governance, the credibility of institutions, and the hope of an entire

generation.