Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harjot Singh Bains has hit back at opposition parties over their criticism of the state’s examination system and law-and-order situation. Bains said that if his resignation could improve Punjab’s education system and examination process, he was ready to step down immediately.
The statement came after Bains attended a protest by students in Delhi, following which opposition parties including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded his resignation over alleged irregularities in the pharmacy examination held in Punjab.
The opposition had accused the Punjab government of failing to ensure transparency in the recruitment examination for pharmacists. Responding to the allegations, Bains said he had no hesitation in resigning if it would lead to improvements in the system.
“I entered politics alone in 2011 and even today I went alone to Jantar Mantar. If my resignation can improve the education and examination system of Punjab, I am ready to resign today,” Bains said.
Bains said the government did not suppress the issue of alleged cheating and irregularities in the pharmacy examination but instead identified the problem and initiated action.
He said the AAP government was following a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, paper leaks, and unfair practices in examinations.
“Whatever irregularities took place in the pharmacy examination were traced by our government and administration itself, and strict action was taken. Our intention is to clean the system, not hide failures,” Bains said.
The pharmacy examination was conducted for the recruitment of pharmacists under the Health Department, while the responsibility of conducting the examination was with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.
Opposition leaders questioned why the Education Minister was offering to resign when the Health and Medical Education departments fall under the portfolio of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh.
The Punjab government has been facing criticism over police action against employees protesting for various demands and allegations of irregularities in competitive examinations.
Opposition parties have accused the AAP government of failing to maintain transparency and have demanded that ministers take moral responsibility for the issues.
Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress Leader of Opposition): Bajwa accused the government of playing with the future of Punjab’s youth and demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and concerned ministers over the pharmacy exam issue and police action against protesters.
Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Punjab Congress President): Warring alleged that the AAP government had failed on multiple fronts, claiming that exams were not being conducted transparently despite repeated employment promises.
Sukhbir Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal President): Badal questioned the state of law and order, alleging that peaceful protesters and employees were being subjected to police force.
Sunil Jakhar (Former Punjab BJP President): Jakhar demanded a fair investigation into the examination irregularities and accountability from those responsible.
Kewal Singh Dhillon (Punjab BJP): Dhillon accused the government of using force against teachers, employees, and sanitation workers, alleging that the AAP government was failing to provide a transparent system.
