By Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu #Babushahi Network
Bathinda, August 10:
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday threw an open political challenge to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, daring him to face a public debate on what he described as more than 10 paper leaks and recruitment-related irregularities in Punjab.
Addressing a protest organised by the Students Organization of India (SOI) at Government Rajindra College under the banner of the ‘Bhavikh Bachao Morcha’, Badal demanded the resignation of Punjab ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Balbir Singh and sought a CBI probe into the alleged paper leaks.
Badal alleged that repeated examination controversies had affected the future of more than 10 lakh students across Punjab and questioned why, despite the allegations, “not a single head has rolled”.
‘Why are Punjab students being ignored?’
Taking direct aim at Kejriwal, Badal said the AAP convenor had expressed concern over students in Delhi and even participated in a dharna there, but had allegedly remained silent on the concerns of students in Punjab.
“Are Punjab’s children not your children? Why are you betraying Punjabi students like this?”
Badal challenged Kejriwal to an open debate at any university of his choice in Punjab.
“Come and debate with me. I will place the facts and figures before the people of Punjab and expose how papers were leaked, how outsiders were allegedly given jobs and how Punjabi youth were ignored.”
He also targeted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that the Punjab government had failed to take responsibility for the controversies surrounding recruitment examinations.
Students demand resignations
As protesting students raised slogans demanding the resignation of Harjot Bains, Badal alleged that the AAP government had repeatedly denied paper-leak allegations despite, according to him, statements and court proceedings pointing towards irregularities.
He referred to instances where the Punjab and Haryana High Court had intervened in recruitment matters and alleged that the scale of the controversy warranted an independent investigation.
“If there was no paper leak, why are thousands of students sitting here on dharna?” Badal asked.
He announced that the SAD-backed agitation would continue until the ministers concerned resigned and an investigation was initiated.
‘Punjab cannot be treated as a second-class State’
Urging students to remain united, Badal accused the AAP leadership of promoting what he termed an “outsider” model of governance in Punjab.
“Shiromani Akali Dal is Punjab’s own party. We are not outsiders. Punjab is our home and its youth are our family. We will stand with them and protect their rights.”
Badal alleges outsiders getting a major share of government jobs
Badal also presented figures which he claimed showed a significant number of government recruitments going to candidates from outside Punjab.
He alleged that:
- 68 Veterinary Inspector posts included 24 candidates from Haryana and 12 from Rajasthan.
- In the recruitment of 2,100 Linemen, he claimed around 600 candidates were from Haryana and 100 from Rajasthan.
- In the Punjab Health Systems Corporation, he alleged that around 60 per cent of newly created posts had gone to outsiders.
Badal demanded greater transparency in recruitment and reiterated the SAD's demand that employment opportunities should primarily benefit Punjab's youth.
‘100% government jobs for Punjabis if SAD returns in 2027’
In a major political announcement, Badal promised that an SAD government formed in 2027 would introduce legislation aimed at securing government employment in Punjab for Punjabis.
“We will bring back legislation to secure jobs in Punjab for Punjabis.”
He claimed that the previous SAD government had introduced legislation on the issue and had provided employment to around three lakh youth, while alleging that the present government had subsequently changed the policy.
Badal also announced that industrial incentives would be linked to local employment.
“Industrial units will receive incentives only if they employ at least 75 per cent Punjabis.”
50% seats for poor Punjabi students in private universities
Outlining what he described as an education blueprint for Punjab, Badal said an incoming SAD government would introduce changes to the education framework to reserve 50 per cent seats in private universities for economically disadvantaged Punjabi students.
He said the government would bear 50 per cent of the fee cost for eligible students and claimed that a similar model would be extended to medical and veterinary colleges.
World Skill University and interest-free loans
Badal also announced plans for a World Skill University aimed at connecting skill training with major corporate employers.
He said the university would work with corporate companies to train students according to industry requirements, creating opportunities for their direct absorption into the workforce.
The SAD chief further announced a proposal to provide interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh to young entrepreneurs to encourage self-employment and new businesses.
“Punjab’s youth should not have to leave the State in search of opportunities. We want to create an ecosystem where they can study, acquire skills, secure jobs and become entrepreneurs in Punjab itself.”
SOI leaders demand probe into alleged Pharmacy paper leak
Student leaders also joined the attack on the government.
SOI president Ranbir Singh Rana demanded an investigation into the alleged financial transactions linked to the Pharmacy examination paper leak,
Malwa Zone-I Girls Wing president Dharamveer Kaur demanded that education be made free for girls in Punjab.
SOI Malwa Zone-I president Jashandeep Singh Aulakh and SOI Bathinda president Rajdeep Singh accused the AAP leadership of compromising the interests of students.
The protest ended with student leaders reiterating that the ‘Bhavikh Bachao Morcha’ would continue until their demands for accountability, resignations and an independent probe were addressed.