The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday has sparked a political firestorm in Punjab, with opposition parties demanding that the AAP-led state government apply the same accountability standards to its own ministers implicated in local paper leak scandals. While AAP leaders celebrated Pradhan's exit as a victory for youth protests, the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) pointed to repeated paper leaks in Punjab and called for the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh.
AAP Hails Youth-Led Victory
Malvinder Singh Kang, AAP MP from Anandpur Sahib, said, "What a moment for India's young generation. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stepped down, citing deep anguish over the events of the past 10 days and reminding the nation that the greatest strength of India is its youth." Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema added, "The BJP, most responsible for paper leaks, has finally had to bow down before the country's youth. Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign from his post. The beginning of the downfall of the Modi government and the BJP has already started." Both leaders credited party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia for spearheading the protests that led to Pradhan's resignation.
Opposition Demands Accountability in Punjab
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa stated, "Pradhan's resignation was an outcome of relentless protest by Rahul Gandhi as well as by young students. Your (Rahul's) courage in taking on this government head-on, and your leadership in keeping the issue alive when it would have been easier to let it fade, are what forced this outcome." He noted that the Centre was shaken after Rahul Gandhi led a protest march to the Prime Minister's residence.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, "While the Union Minister has been forced to resign, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains was still in office. He must also step down for the repeated paper leaks in Punjab." Warring alleged that the AAP government had failed to address exam irregularities within the state.
The SAD also weighed in, demanding the resignations of Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh. Arshdeep Singh Kler, chief spokesperson of SAD, said, "There cannot be two yardsticks for the same issue. AAP should not practice politics of deceit." Ravinder Singh, SAD (Punar Surjeet) patron and former Speaker, added, "If youth have grievances, they should be heard and their concerns considered with empathy, rather than being suppressed through the use of police force."
Background of Paper Leaks
Pradhan's resignation came after massive protests by medical aspirants over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG exam paper. The scandal, which surfaced 10 days ago, led to widespread outrage and demands for the minister's resignation. In Punjab, similar controversies have erupted in the past year, including leaks in state-level recruitment exams and board papers. The opposition is now pressing the AAP government to take responsibility for these incidents, arguing that the same standard of accountability should apply to state ministers.
The political battle underscores a deepening divide between the ruling AAP and opposition parties, with both sides using the paper leak issue to score points ahead of upcoming elections.
