Now! Punjab students protest over paper leaks

The BJP has also joined the fray, accusing the AAP of “selective activism.” Party leaders highlighted the hypocrisy in AAP’s national outrage over paper leaks while allegedly downplaying issues in Punjab

metro india news  I Chandigarh

A wave of fresh political turmoil and student-led demonstrations has swept across Punjab, just one week after the contentious Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination held on July 19. At the center of the storm is Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, with opposition parties Congress and BJP, alongside agitated students, demanding his immediate resignation amid allegations of examination malpractices. The controversy erupted following reports of a sophisticated cheating racket during the exam, conducted for government pharmacy officer positions. Authorities reportedly uncovered instances of high-tech malpractice, including the use of electronic gadgets like hidden cameras and communication devices, leading to the arrest of around 30-35 individuals, including candidates and alleged facilitators.

While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has firmly maintained that no actual paper leak occurred and that the incidents were cases of on-the-spot cheating swiftly addressed by invigilators and police, critics argue that the episode points to deeper systemic failures in ensuring the integrity of competitive examinations. Hundreds of students took to the streets in cities like Jalandhar, Chandigarh, and Patiala this week, blocking roads, staging sit-ins outside deputy commissioners' offices, and raising slogans against the government. Many carried placards reading “Justice for Merit” and “Bains Must Go,” echoing national sentiments over examination scandals. Protesters claim that repeated irregularities – including earlier issues in tests like PSEB Class 12 and PSTET – have eroded trust in the state's recruitment processes, affecting thousands of aspirants who prepared diligently for stable government jobs. Congress leaders have been vocal in amplifying the demands.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa have drawn parallels with the recent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG controversy. Warring asserted that accountability standards must apply equally at the state level, questioning how the AAP government, which aggressively criticized the Centre, has handled similar issues domestically. “Students protesting in Delhi were heard; why are Punjab’s youth being ignored or suppressed?” he asked in a public statement. Sukhpal Singh Khaira echoed these calls, labeling the pharmacy incident a failure of governance.

The BJP has also joined the fray, accusing the AAP of “selective activism.” Party leaders highlighted the hypocrisy in AAP’s national outrage over paper leaks while allegedly downplaying issues in Punjab. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya questioned the absence of AAP-led protests in the state, pointing to reports of candidates paying hefty sums for alleged assistance.

In response, Minister Harjot Singh Bains, a young and prominent AAP face who also holds portfolios in technical education and higher education, has pushed back robustly. Addressing the media, Bains stated, “This was a case of mass cheating, not a paper leak. The cheating was caught on the spot, and guilty parties were apprehended immediately. If my resignation strengthens the system, I am ready to step down today.” He emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy, citing swift police action and the state’s improved rankings in education indices by NITI Aayog. AAP spokespersons, including state media in-charge Baltej Pannu, have reiterated that no recruitment paper has leaked under the Bhagwant Mann government. They accuse opposition parties of “deliberately twisting facts” to destabilize the administration ahead of future electoral battles.

The party points to its reforms in school education and increased NEET successes from government schools as evidence of broader progress. The agitation has taken on a distinctly student-driven character, with youth organizations and aspirants’ unions coordinating through social media. Many participants are first-generation job seekers from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, for whom government positions represent social mobility. Incidents of alleged police action against protesters have further fueled anger, with videos circulating online showing clashes in Jalandhar. Political analysts view this as a significant test for the AAP government in Punjab. While the party rode to power on anti-corruption and education promises, recurring examination controversies risk undermining its credibility.

The timing, coinciding with national debates post-Pradhan’s resignation, has given opposition parties fresh ammunition. As protests continue into the weekend, calls for a judicial inquiry or re-examination are gaining traction. Students have vowed to sustain the movement until concrete assurances on exam security, including better technology like AI proctoring and stricter invigilation, are met. For now, the demand for Minister Bains’ resignation remains the focal point, keeping Punjab’s political landscape on edge.The state government has urged calm, promising a thorough probe and action against all involved. However, with opposition unity on the issue and student resolve firm, the coming days could see escalated pressure on the Mann administration. Punjab’s youth, it seems, are no longer willing to accept anything less than full transparency and merit-based opportunities.