The past has a very squeaky manner of catching up with the present. The freshly elected Education Minister realised it when social media went berserk reminding Jitu Vaghani and BJP about Junior Vaghani’s “misdeeds”. Junior Vaghani was caught cheating by an upright principal of a college who did not bow down to the diktats and demands, reportedly of Senior Vaghani who was BJP State President at that point of time.
Jitubhai Vaghani who has no background working with education has been declared the Education Minister. If that made him an inadequate choice, his son was caught red-handed for copying in University Examination by Principal, Mr.K.Vataliya of MJCC, two years back.
Caught with 27 chits
On March 28, Meet Vaghani was caught with 27 chits while giving his second-semester exam of BCA. He was caught by Kanjibhai Vataliya, Principal of M J College of Commerce where he was appearing for his Allowed to Keep Terms (ATKT) exams. He was a student of Swami Vivekanand College of Computer Science which is affiliated with Bhavnagar University.
Reportedly, many attempts were made by Bhavnagar University, VC Chavda to keep things under the carpet but Principal Vataliya registered a complaint against Meet and four others who were caught red-handed, with Bhavnagar University with proof.
Sociologist, Manishi Jani says “The Government has become shameless in every case including education. Morality has vanished. They are much worse than hypocrites, they are not even trying to show that they are putting effort.”
My son made a mistake
At the time, BJP President, Vaghani said, “My son has committed a mistake and he should be treated like any ordinary student and be dealt with as per the law.” He also added that his son will not appear for exams as per his family’s decision. Vaghani said during a press conference at BJP headquarters, Kamlam in Gandhinagar.
Congress Leader Manhar Patel says, “Education is a very serious and important department, such an important portfolio is given to Vaghani whose son has been accused of cheating.” He added, “Personally, he should investigate this matter further as soon as he starts handling the department and do the needful.”
RJ Megha says, “It’s a portfolio that assumes utmost significance, while the state is fighting with these long-time unresolved challenges! Especially, in the times of pandemic when education has gone to dogs, we expect the education department to be led by a very well educated, well-exposed & and experienced person in the said field. The copy-case is shocking and saddening. Hoping for the best.”
The Twitterati took over
At the time, BJP had launched its Twitter campaign #MainBhiChowkidar and the Twitter community expressed their outrage by using the #Chowkidar and #ChowkidarHiChorHai
Narendra Modi tweeted, “Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar”
A reply to Narendra Modi’s tweet by an account named Anti reservation read, “Padhai means something like son of jitubhai Vaghani president of @BJP4Gujarat Dher sari cheat ke sath exam hall me pakda Gaya #ChowkidarHiChorHai #Chowkidar ka beta bhi exam me chori karta pakda Gaya” which loosely translates – Studying means something like President of BJP Gujarat Jitubhai Vaghani’s son who was caught with a lot of chits in the exam hall.
Dravidian tweeted, “Gujarat BJP chief’s son caught cheating in BCA exam.”
A tweet by Geet V read, “Chowkidar Jitu Vaghani’s (Gujarat BJP President) son caught red handed cheating in university exam When #ChorBanaChowkidar we can expect anything from cheating to scams to murders #EkHiChowikdarChorHai But all self-certified #ChowkidarChorHai”
