New Delhi, 25 July (H.S.): Delhi Environment Minister and senior Sikh leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday demanded that the Punjab government fix accountability and take strict action against those allegedly involved in paper leak cases reported in the state.
Sirsa said that if questions are repeatedly raised over the confidentiality and integrity of competitive examinations in any state, it is the government's responsibility to ensure a time-bound and impartial investigation and take stringent action against those found responsible. He alleged that despite several instances of alleged irregularities in competitive examinations in Punjab, clear accountability has not yet been established.
The minister said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal shares platforms with students during protests and movements in Delhi and repeatedly questions the Central government. He alleged that students in Delhi are being misled into protests and political pressure tactics are being used against the government, but when a series of alleged paper leak cases emerge in Punjab, the same leaders maintain complete silence.
Sirsa said that if there is genuine concern for the future of students, it should not be limited only to Delhi. He stressed that the demand for justice for millions of young people in Punjab should also be raised with equal force and commitment.
Sirsa said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government has implemented strict legal provisions to ensure transparency in public examinations and prevent incidents such as paper leaks. He added that while the Centre is taking stringent measures in this direction, it is equally necessary to question the accountability of the Punjab government and its Education Minister.
He said that if moral responsibility is demanded in cases involving other states, the same standards should also apply in the case of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. He questioned why some political parties and their leaders have remained silent on the issue.
Social activist Abhijeet Deepke, associated with the student movement, had also publicly stated that if cases of injustice against students or paper leaks emerge in Punjab, voices would be raised against them as well.
Sirsa said the time has come for all stakeholders to stand by their words and fight equally for the interests of Punjab’s youth.
He claimed that alleged irregularities have surfaced in connection with the Naib Tehsildar recruitment examination, paper leaks linked to the Punjab School Education Board, the Agriculture Officer recruitment examination, and the pharmacist recruitment examination conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences. He said such incidents have affected the confidence of lakhs of students and demanded that the government clearly disclose what action has been taken in each case.
Sirsa said that whenever incidents like paper leaks occur in any state, there must be an impartial investigation, strict action against those responsible and, wherever required, political accountability should also be fixed. He stressed that double standards should not be adopted when it comes to the future of students.
Sirsa demanded that the Punjab government conduct a time-bound and impartial investigation into all alleged paper leak cases, ensure strict action against those found guilty, and said that Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains should not continue in office on moral grounds.
He added that such steps would strengthen students’ trust in the examination system and send a clear message to the youth that no compromise with their future would be tolerated.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
