Telegram controversy

This refers to the Editorial ‘Wrong message’ (June 18). The government’s decision to temporarily block access to the Telegram messaging app to protect the confidentiality of the NEET-UG re-examination paper is as startling as its previous one to use air force planes to transport the papers.

Given that it will inconvenience over 150 million domestic app users, the decision appears disproportionate and excessive. It also betrays administrative incapacity to identify and eliminate examination mafias already active in the ecosystem.

In today’s technology age, a determined criminal can frustrate the restriction by using alternate domains, much as cyberfraudsters use novel techniques to scam people. Instead of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, a strong, real-time engagement between platforms and authorities on the issue would have worked better.

Kamal Laddha

Bengaluru

Apropos of the Editorial ‘Wrong message’ (June 18), it was quite unfortunate the aspiring student community faced two major issues impacting their academic career — the NEET question paper leak and the CBSE online marking fiasco.

In both the cases, lethargy, absence of strict control, failure to follow Standard Operating Procedures were quite evident.

Though the Ministry of Education and Minister in charge followed several damage control measures, it failed to bring up the confidence among the students and the parents community.

A complete shift of all entrance and other competitive exams to online mode would help to save the student community from such loopholes.

RV Baskaran

Pune

Curbing corporate fraud

With reference to the article “Spotting financial jugglery” (June 18), the whistle blowing made by a single shareholder, that triggered the present state of regulatory investigation of financial irregularities in the listed company, is a significant step in investor inclusiveness of minority stakeholders to redflag instances of mismanagement.

As aptly pointed out, the financial awareness at the retail investor level is abysmally low and the review and approval of the audited statements, are primarily undertaken by institutional investors, who also blindly follow the due diligence certifications made by the auditors and directors of the company.

To prevent such incidents in future, listing guidelines of stock exchanges should mandate credible independent research and analysis of the balance sheet disclosures of high revenue companies by accredited institutions before submission to shareholders.

Sitaram Popuri

Bengaluru

Correction

In the article titled, ‘Key takeaways from Kerala’s White Paper’ the line in the fourth paragraph should read, “...cash balances have repeatedly fallen below the minimum required level of ₹1.66 crore” and not as published. The error is regretted.

Published on June 18, 2026