Mumbai, July 30: Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) has claimed that India’s education system has completely collapsed, with Maharashtra bearing the brunt of systemic corruption.

A scathing critique of the state and central educational framework in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Thursday underscored a series of exam paper leaks, illegal appointment of incompetent Vice-Chancellors, and large-scale financial scams as evidence of deep-seated decay within the academic structure.

The editorial heavily criticised the ongoing paper leak epidemic across competitive and board examinations. Highlighting recent developments, it noted that over ten examination papers were leaked in Maharashtra within a single month, followed by leaks in the MHT-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test). “Paper leaks and grade theft are happening openly in broad daylight. Education is the foundation of society, and if the system collapses, society will collapse along with it,” the editorial warned.

The editorial pointed to viral audio and video recordings exposing severe malpractice in the CET examination system. “Candidates who scored merely 40 per cent to 50 per cent in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in their 12th Board examinations surprisingly secured 98 per cent, 99 per cent, or 100 per cent in the CET. A viral audio clip revealed a woman offering access to “special examination centres” for Rs 12 lakh, guaranteeing a 99 per cent score to candidates,” it said.

The Thackeray camp asserted that public trust in Maharashtra’s examination and educational apparatus has completely eroded, labelling the situation worse than the national NEET paper leak scandal. It attributed the decline in academic standards to the political appointment of unqualified Vice-Chancellors aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It further stated that state educational institutions and universities are being run to promote partisan agendas rather than merit.

The editorial highlighted specific instances of corruption, including a multi-crore financial discrepancy involving the Vice-Chancellor of Parbhani Agricultural University, whom the state government is reportedly protecting. Additionally, it cited the arrest of BJP leader Sanjay Garud from Jalgaon in connection with the Rs 160-crore “Shalarth ID” scam.

The editorial criticised the Central government for altering history textbooks to suit the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while erasing the contributions of the Congress, Left, and Socialists from the Indian freedom struggle. It further suggested that pressure to align with unscientific ideologies was forcing researchers and scientists to leave premier national institutions like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena pointed out the stark divide between underprivileged students and wealthy aspirants. While middle-class parents take loans to pay for expensive coaching classes, wealthy individuals purchase leaked papers and manipulate special test centres to pass. “Pune, which was once celebrated as the centre of education and knowledge, has now been defamed as a hub for paper leaks,” it stated, criticising the state government for routinely appointing special investigation teams instead of delivering structural reforms.

The editorial concluded with a sharp warning, stating that history will not forgive leaders if immediate measures are not taken to arrest the decline of the nation’s education system.

“Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and the ‘city of dreams’. Making this city TB-free is the shared responsibility of all of us, if the society can achieve the goal of a TB-free Mumbai and a TB-free India, it is essential that misconceptions about TB are dispelled and there is no need to fear or panic about it,” Maharashtra Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma said during his address today. Today (July 29, 2026) as part of the ‘TB Pak Mumbai’ campaign, a public awareness rally was jointly organized by Maharashtra Lok Bhavan, Mumbai Municipal Corporation, National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell of Mumbai University, and Sree Narayana Guru College of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prominent personalities present at the event included actor Rakesh Bedi, actor Shiv Thackeray, Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, Secretary to the Governor Dr. Prashant Naranware, Joint Secretary S. Ramamoorthy, BMC M.Est Assistant Commissioner of the ward, Ujjwal Angule, and a large number of NSS students were present. Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Verma further said, “TB is not just a medical challenge but also a social and economic one. However, there is no need to fear this disease. Effective treatments are available for TB, and it is very important for patients to get tested on time and follow regular treatment.” “Various treatment facilities and schemes are being effectively implemented for TB patients through hospitals run by the Central Government, State Government, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Citizens should avail themselves of these facilities and complete their treatment.” He added that “It is not right to discriminate against a person just because he has TB. On the contrary, providing mental support and necessary assistance to such patients is the true sign of humanity.” The Governor stressed the need for widespread public awareness about TB, especially in densely populated areas. “It is necessary to run the awareness campaign more effectively through students, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and various voluntary organizations. If every section of the society actively participates in this campaign, Mumbai will soon become TB-free. Our collective efforts will create a new ray of hope for TB patients,” he expressed confidence. On this occasion, renowned actor Rakesh Bedi said, “Mumbai face every crisis with courage, every resident of Mumbai has the spirit to fight. Just as Mumbaikars have overcome several crises, they should also actively participate in the fight against TB. ‘TB Free Mumbai’ should go beyond just a campaign, this mass movement will yield faster positive results. The campaign remains to be seen.

Mumbai: The accused who cheated the complainant in the name of Mumbai Mahanagar Gas and cheated the public by preparing an APK file has been arrested from West Bengal. In Mumbai, a fake APK file was sent to the complainant in the name of Mahanagar Gas Limited at DB Marg police station and Rs 70,500 was stolen from the bank account by hacking his mobile. A case was registered in this regard and a search was started for him. When the police started investigating the matter, his trace was found in West Bengal and he was arrested from here. The 26-year-old accused is a resident of Jharkhand. After his arrest, the police have also recovered 10 mobile phones, one laptop, 7 SIM cards, 4 debit credit cards, 963 APK files and data of 37,200 bank accounts from his possession. The accused has also provided the prepared 91 APK file to other accused. Through this 91 APK file, complaints have been registered on 2993 portals in the country and 512 in Mumbai and Maharashtra, in which about Rs 63 crore 71 lakh 82 thousand has been defrauded. The accused is very clever, so he was an expert in preparing AKP files. Addressing a press conference here, DCP Ragsudha said that the accused who was arrested from West Bengal also used to hack bank accounts through bank APK files. Along with this, he was technically sound. The DCP has appealed to the citizens not to open any unknown file because such groups cheat people in this way.