A young student at IIT Bombay reportedly carried his mobile phone into an examination hall, photographed the question paper and uploaded it to an artificial intelligence platform for answers.
The professor noticed.
Now, in those ancient days before artificial intelligence, this was called cheating. Today, perhaps we need a more sophisticated expression, such as digitally assisted academic creativity.
The faculty member intervened. The student was later counselled and, according to the institute, assured that the incident would not destroy his academic career. Some papers report that he was suspended.
Tragically, the young man died by suicide that evening.
It was a heartbreaking end to a young life. But here comes a twist. His parents have alleged that caste discrimination and harassment were involved. The police have now registered a case naming a professor, with allegations that include abetment of suicide and offences under the Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Every genuine allegation of caste discrimination must certainly be investigated. But investigation means discovering facts. It should not mean first choosing a conclusion and then hunting for evidence to decorate it.
Otherwise, which professor will dare stop a student tomorrow?
“Sir, he is copying.”
“Keep quiet.”
“But he has ChatGPT open.”
“Then congratulate ChatGPT and continue invigilating.”
“But, sir, those are not his answers.”
“My dear fellow, do you want an FIR?”
Soon, examination halls will become the safest places for cheating because every invigilator will be staring firmly at the ceiling.
Today, quite close to that institution, my driver waited obediently at a signal for permission to take a U turn.
A dozen rickshaws, motorcycles and cars did not suffer from such obedience. They sailed through the red light with the confidence of ambassadors carrying diplomatic immunity.
“Where are the police?” I asked.
“Investigating angles,” I imagined my driver say.
“What angles?”
“Very complicated ones, sir. This is only a traffic signal.”
That seems to be our growing problem. The visible offence is often ignored while extraordinary theories receive urgent attention. Across Mumbai, forget about crime that is all over, motorists jump signals, ride against traffic, block pedestrian crossings and treat footpaths as motorcycle lanes.
Either there is never any policeman present, or the policeman, if around, is sometimes looking in another direction, perhaps searching for an angle.
Police must investigate the student’s death fairly, sensitively and without protecting anyone. But they must also remember that questioning a teacher for enforcing examination rules could frighten every teacher into silence.
A society loses order and there will be terrible repercussions in the foreseeable future, when those responsible for enforcing rules become afraid to enforce them.
And as another convoy races through another red signal, Mumbai continues asking its unanswered question:
“Where are the police?”
Perhaps they are still looking for an angle..!