The debate over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s educational qualifications refuses to die down, even after a decade of public scrutiny and political controversy. The latest twist in this saga comes from Rajasthan, where a court ruling on a fake degree case could set a significant precedent for the entire country—including the highest office in the land.

Background: A Decade of Suspicion

Since Narendra Modi assumed the office of Prime Minister in 2014, questions about his academic degrees have repeatedly surfaced. Despite occasional attempts by BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, to display Modi’s degree certificates in press conferences, doubts have persisted. Critics argue that the documents presented were never close enough or clear enough to end the debate, and the universities themselves—Delhi University and Gujarat University—have refused to publicly release the Prime Minister’s degree details, citing privacy concerns.

Legal Battles and RTI Roadblocks

The issue has found its way into the courts multiple times. In one notable instance, activist Neeraj Sharma filed a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking Modi’s degree records from Delhi University. The university declined, arguing that such information was private and could not be shared under RTI laws. This stance was supported by government lawyers, who claimed that releasing the degree could unnecessarily politicize the matter.

Rajasthan Case Becomes a Benchmark

The Rajasthan case that’s now making headlines involves a woman sarpanch (village head) who submitted a fake 8th-grade mark sheet to contest elections. When the matter reached court, Judge Piyush Jalal ordered an investigation, which revealed the certificate was indeed fraudulent. The court responded firmly: the sarpanch was stripped of her position, fined, and sentenced to three years in jail.

This case is now being cited as a potential precedent for all public representatives—including MPs and MLAs. If a local leader can lose her post and face jail for a fake degree, the same standard could, in theory, apply to higher offices as well.

Opposition Demands Transparency

Opposition parties have seized upon the Rajasthan verdict, intensifying their demand for Prime Minister Modi to publicly disclose his degree. They argue that if ordinary politicians can be disqualified for false information, the Prime Minister should be held to the same standard of transparency. The issue, they say, is not about the educational requirement for the office—since there is none—but about honesty and trust.

Delhi University’s Reluctance and the Pending Court Case

Despite Amit Shah’s public display of a degree certificate, Delhi University has continued to resist calls for full disclosure, even hiring government lawyers to defend its position in court. The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, has maintained that the matter is private and could be politicized if handled incorrectly.

The matter is currently before Justice Sachin Datta, who is expected to deliver a ruling that could finally bring clarity to the issue after more than 10 years of debate and legal wrangling.

Conclusion: A Question of Trust and Precedent

As the country waits for the court’s decision, the Rajasthan case stands as a stark reminder: in India, even the highest offices are not above scrutiny. The demand for transparency is not just about one man’s degree—it’s about the integrity of the democratic process. Whether or not the Prime Minister’s degree will be revealed, the debate has already set a new benchmark for accountability in Indian politics.

Stay tuned for further updates as the case unfolds.