A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Punjab after the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over alleged examination irregularities.
However, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has firmly denied allegations of paper leaks during his government’s tenure, asserting that his administration has maintained the integrity of the state’s examination system.
BJP Targets Punjab Government Over Exam Irregularities
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari questioned when Punjab’s Education Minister would step down, alleging multiple examination-related irregularities in the state.
He cited alleged paper leaks in the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 12 English examination, Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET), and the Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) recruitment examination.
Bhandari also referred to alleged irregularities in Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) Group-B recruitment, the Combined Recruitment Examination, the Naib Tehsildar and Pharmacy Officer recruitment tests, and claimed fake names had appeared in an Excise and Taxation Inspector merit list.
Congress Also Raises Accountability Questions
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also criticised the state government, alleging that six major paper leak incidents had occurred over the past four years.
He questioned why the Punjab Education Minister had not resigned and called for greater accountability, stating that students deserve transparency and a fair examination system.
Bhagwant Mann Denies Paper Leak Allegations
Responding to the accusations, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed the allegations as false.
He said no paper leak had occurred in Punjab during the last four and a half years, although he acknowledged that authorities had detected attempts at cheating at two examination centres.
According to Mann, swift action was taken against those involved within minutes of the incidents.
“There has not been a single paper leak in Punjab over the last 4.5 years. We acted immediately against cheating gangs, and I assure the people that there will be no paper leaks in Punjab,” he said.
AAP Calls Allegations Politically Motivated
AAP leader Baltej Pannu described the BJP and Congress allegations as misleading.
He maintained that while isolated cheating attempts had been detected, examination papers were not leaked. He accused both opposition parties of attempting to divert attention from alleged examination controversies during their own tenures.
Political Row Intensifies After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Exit
The debate comes shortly after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister following weeks of nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The Centre has since appointed Pralhad Joshi to oversee the Education Ministry, while political parties continue to spar over examination transparency and accountability.
