The Monsoon Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha opened with immediate confrontation as Congress legislators demanded the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over the alleged pharmacist recruitment exam paper leak in Faridkot.
Congress Protests Inside Punjab Assembly Over Pharmacist Paper Leak
Congress MLAs staged a protest outside the House before entering the Assembly wearing black stoles. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa led the demonstration, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann present in the chamber during the proceedings.
According to Hindustan Times, the demand for Bains' removal comes amid growing concerns over repeated paper leaks in the state's recruitment examinations.
First Sitting of Monsoon Session Focuses on Tributes
The session, presided over by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan, began with obituary references. The first sitting lasted 11 minutes as the House paid tributes to several notable figures.
According to AP7AM, the Congress party has been pressing for accountability over the examination irregularities that have affected candidates across Punjab.
The tributes included Olympian Randhir Singh, who was also a former sports administrator and brother of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. The House also remembered former MLA Sahi Ram Bishnoi, freedom fighter Sewa Singh, and martyrs Sarabjeet Singh and Sikand.
Congress Seeks Accountability Over Recruitment Exam Irregularities
The paper leak controversy has become a major political flashpoint in Punjab, with the opposition accusing the state government of failing to protect the integrity of recruitment processes.
"The demand for Bains' resignation reflects the seriousness of the paper leak issue that has shaken public confidence in the examination system." — Big News Network
The Congress party's stance extends beyond the state assembly, with Punjab Congress MPs also raising the issue at the national level during the Parliament Monsoon Session, according to Big News Network.
Our Take: Paper Leak Issue Demands Swift Action
To put it plainly, the pharmacist paper leak is not just a political issue — it is a matter of fairness for thousands of young candidates who prepared for the exam honestly. When recruitment exams are compromised, it is the candidates who suffer the most.
The Congress party is right to demand accountability, but the focus should remain on fixing the system so such leaks do not happen again. The state government must investigate the Faridkot leak thoroughly and take concrete steps to secure future examinations.
In our view, the resignation demand is a political move, but the underlying problem is real. Punjab's youth deserve a transparent and secure recruitment process, and that should be the priority for all parties involved.