CBSE class 12 maths exam paper QR code leads to song, board says paper security uncompromised
New Delhi (PTI): A QR code printed on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 mathematics question paper led to the music video of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by British singer Rick Astley.
It became a classic internet prank known as "rickrolling" even as the board maintained that the security of the question paper remains uncompromised.
The mathematics board examination was held on March 9. Soon after the exam got over, images of the question paper began circulating on social media with students alleging that the QR code printed on it redirected them to the 1987 hit song's video on YouTube.
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QR codes are typically included on board exam papers for authentication and security verification.
"Many security features are provided on question papers. These include QR codes to verify the genuineness of the question paper in case of a suspected security breach. On March 9, an examination in Mathematics was conducted for class 12. In a few question paper sets, it appears that when one of the given QR codes is scanned, it links to a YouTube video," CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.
"It appears that this has raised concerns about the veracity of the question papers amongst concerned students and parents. It is confirmed that question papers are genuine and the security of the question paper remains uncompromised," he added.
The board noted that while the concerns about the veracity of the question papers have been put to rest, the matter has been viewed seriously, and necessary steps are being taken by the board to ensure such issues are not repeated in future.
The issue was also raised by Congress's Kerala unit, which shared a student's video on X, sharing the story.
"The QR code on the CBSE 12th Standard Mathematics question paper to a Rickroll video on YouTube. All institutions are under the control of Modi slaves, who are not qualified to run these institutions. This is purposeful destruction of India by OG CIA agent and his gang," the post said.
Rickrolling is an internet slang term for a prank where a user clicks a link disguised as something appealing but is instead directed to the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up".
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Madhu Kishwar booked over alleged misleading content on social media
Chandigarh (PTI): Academician Madhu Kishwar has been booked on charges of criminal defamation, promoting enmity and other offences by Chandigarh police following a complaint by a resident alleging circulation of forged and misleading content on social media.
A Chandigarh police team on Tuesday served notice to Kishwar in Delhi, asking her to join the investigation in the case.
Sarita Roy, the Station House Officer of Sector-19 police station in Chandigarh, where the FIR was filed, told reporters in the national capital that the notice was issued under Section 35(3) of the BNSS and that Kishwar has been asked to appear and present her side.
Kishwar and some other social media users have been booked under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 196 (criminalises acts that promote enmity, hatred, or ill-will between groups based on religion, race, language), 336 (1) (forgery) and 356 (criminal defamation), and the IT Act, according to the FIR.
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They have also been charged under Section 353 (penalises making, publishing, or circulating false information that cause public mischief...) and those related to cheating and forgery under the BNS.
According to a statement by the Chandigarh police, a city-based complainant on April 19 alleged that some forged and misleading social media posts and video clips with obscene text and content were being circulated by various social media users, misidentifying the person in the video.
The complainant alleged that it is a deliberate act of creating a false electronic record using obscene words and phrases, having knowledge and sufficient reason to believe that the posts are misleading and false, with the intent to cause damage or injury.
The video, which circulated with the intent to cause harm to the reputation of a constitutional authority and to disturb public peace and tranquillity, should be investigated, and appropriate action should be taken, the complainant said.
The complainant said the person seen in the video is a travel vlogger whose wife regularly posts updates about their activities on social media. The original video was shared from her social media account.
"As per the statement of the woman, she disclosed that the person in the video shared from her account is her husband. Statements of her husband and another lady in the video have also been recorded during preliminary investigation," said the police statement, adding that further probe is underway.
Meanwhile, Kishwar, in a social media post, said that a Chandigarh police team had visited her late Monday night to serve her notice regarding the FIR registered against her.
"Since the law forbids the police to visit or arrest women after dark and before sunrise, I spoke on phone to the leader of the delegation. She told me that their team has come to serve notice regarding an FIR registered against me in Chandigarh. I insisted that they go by the law and come in the morning," she wrote on X.
