Bribery rocked Rajasthan’s education department on Monday when a government school teacher was detained for allegedly attempting to bribe School Education Minister Madan Dilawar with ₹5,000. The incident took place at the minister’s official residence in Jaipur, during a public hearing, and has since sparked intense criticism and investigation.
Teacher Caught with Cash in Envelope
Chandrakant Vaishnav, a Level 2 science teacher from Ghatol in Banswara district, approached the minister with a letter, a box of sweets, and an envelope—an offering that initially appeared routine. However, the minister’s staff, particularly his photographer Bharat, noticed something suspicious about the envelope. Upon opening it, ₹5,000 in cash was discovered.
Minister Dilawar expressed shock, saying, “At first, I thought the envelope might contain a recommendation letter. But when we checked, we found currency notes inside. This is the first time in 35–36 years of my political life that someone has dared to do this.”
A Push for Textbook Committee Position
Vaishnav was allegedly trying to gain a spot on the textbook drafting committee for science textbooks for Classes 6 to 8, under the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT). In his letter, he appealed to the minister’s ideological background by referencing his involvement with RSS-affiliated organisations such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.
Vaishnav also pledged that new textbooks would be drafted “in alignment with the present government’s intentions,” clearly attempting to appeal to political leanings to secure his place on the panel.
Minister Calls it the “Worst Incident”
Deeply disturbed, Minister Dilawar condemned the act as a low point in his political career. “It is quite painful that someone believed I could be bribed,” he said, noting that it was also the first time he had ever seen or met Vaishnav. He took a swipe at the previous Congress government, implying that such behaviour may have stemmed from past political culture.
“I would not like to comment on what happened before, but maybe there was a tradition, and that gave him the courage to try this,” Dilawar added.
Immediate Suspension and Police Action
Following the discovery, the teacher was detained by Jaipur Police and has since been suspended from his post. The police have launched a formal investigation into the incident, questioning Vaishnav and trying to determine whether others were involved or if this was a one-off case.
Integrity in Education Under the Spotlight
The incident has cast a spotlight on the integrity of appointments within education governance. With textbook committees playing a critical role in shaping academic content, any attempt to influence their formation through bribery or ideology raises serious ethical questions.
It also underscores the importance of transparent systems that resist manipulation, especially when it comes to something as vital as what children learn in schools.
As investigations continue, the episode stands as a strong reminder that bribery, even in seemingly minor amounts, can damage public trust and undermine the credibility of educational institutions. The state’s swift action sends a clear message—there will be zero tolerance for corruption in education.
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