Chandigarh: The Punjab Assembly today, standing firmly with Gen-Z and raising its voice against the atrocities being committed on the youth of the country, passed a resolution condemning the spate of paper leak cases across the country by a voice vote. Concluding the debate on the resolution and then addressing the media, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the repeated paper leaks under the BJP-led central government have shattered the dreams of millions of students, while those seeking justice have faced tear gas shells, pellet guns and police action instead of accountability.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s announcement
The Chief Minister announced that the Punjab government would send this censure motion to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Education Ministry, and the Union Home Ministry, urging the central government to take strict action to prevent paper leaks and strengthen the country’s education system. It is noteworthy that during the debate on the motion, the Congress party walked out of the House.
Addressing the Assembly on a resolution condemning the repeated paper leaks in the country, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who claim to make the country a world leader have made a mockery of the education system by failing to stop the series of paper leaks across the country. Paper leaks, or the sale of exam papers, shatters the dreams of candidates. A clear example of this is the fact that 22 NEET candidates even committed suicide out of despair. He said that since the BJP government came to power (in 2014), 93 paper leaks have occurred in the country.”
Citing statistics related to paper leaks, the Chief Minister said, “Between 2019 and 2024, there were 65 such paper leaks, and the highest number of paper leaks occurred under BJP-led governments in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and other states. The Prime Minister, who constantly gives students tips on how to take exams, has failed to stop paper leaks. What more can be expected from a Prime Minister who doesn’t even know his degree.”
Expressing concern over the treatment of students, he said, “These leaders are changing the school curriculum for their own political interests, which is very unfortunate. The country’s students forced the Prime Minister to accept the resignation of the Union Education Minister, who completely failed to stop paper leaks in the country. The central government’s high-handedness in using tear gas, heavy police force, pellet guns, and other tactics against students is highly condemnable.”
Continuing his discussion on the issue, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Pellet guns are banned worldwide, but the central government has brutally used them against innocent students. Instead of promising fair examinations, the Prime Minister is promising fast-track courts to mislead the public. What else is this but a mockery of the system that the central government is enlisting the help of the defense services to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations.”
Highlighting the impact of paper leaks on students and their families, he said, “It is unfortunate that students have to endure immense suffering due to paper leaks. Students preparing for such competitive exams are the hope of their families. However, when such papers are sold to wealthy individuals in the name of leaks, the dreams of ordinary students/examinees are shattered. These leaders are playing with the future of the country’s youth, forcing Gen-Z to take to the streets and face severe atrocities.”
CM Mann expressed confidence
Questioning the credibility of the current examination system, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Such paper leaks cast doubt on the country’s education system, and that’s why our degrees are not valued abroad. Instead of holding those responsible for this mess accountable, the central government is protecting them. The Prime Minister teaches students how to prepare for exams, but he has never taught the institutions under his government how to conduct exams with transparency, fairness, and security.”
Speaking about the entire tenure of the central government, he said, “The central government’s foreign policy has failed miserably in protecting the country’s interests and integrity. People in the White House in Washington are interfering in the country’s policies. This is a reflection of the extremely disgusting and dire situation developing in the country, as the central government has completely failed in its duty.”
Describing his government’s action after the debate, the Chief Minister said, “The Punjab government has brought this censure motion to the Assembly today. The resolution, if passed, will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Education Ministry, and the Union Home Ministry to bring to their attention the repeated interference in the country’s education system and the leakage of papers in exams like NEET.”
Citing the repeated paper leaks despite investigations, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The futures of millions of students have been affected by these paper leaks. CBI investigations are ordered every time, but no one is punished. This has become a mere ritual. Even now, the Prime Minister is saying that the cases will be decided in fast-track courts. This means that paper leaks will continue, and only cases will be decided later.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Today, the army is being used to conduct examinations. What could be a bigger tragedy than this? We claim to be a world leader, but we can’t even conduct our own examinations properly. Due to repeated paper leaks, students who have honestly earned MBBS, veterinary, engineering, and other professional degrees from India are asked to restudy or pass new tests when they go abroad. Foreign institutions and companies say they don’t trust our examination system. Yet, these people talk about making India a world leader.”
Demanding justice for the affected students, the Chief Minister said, “We strongly condemn this entire incident. The cases filed against the students protesting for their rights should be immediately withdrawn. As promised by the central government, the families of the students who committed suicide should be given compensation of Rs 1 crore each. The Government of India should also ensure that such incidents are never repeated in the future.”
Expressing disappointment with the Congress’s attitude during the debate, the Chief Minister said, “Almost every member of the House, except the Congress, supported the censure motion. The Congress chose to boycott the debate. It is deeply regrettable that when students across the country are fighting for their future, the Congress failed to stand with them even on a crucial issue like the repeated paper leaks. They had the opportunity to rise above politics and speak out against the central government on issues concerning the youth, but they chose to walk out.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Today, when I was speaking in the Assembly, the opposition seats were empty. This is a glimpse of 2027. Instead of participating in the debate on such an important issue, they boycotted the proceedings. On one hand, their leaders protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence on education-related issues, and on the other, when they get a chance to debate the same issue in the House, they walk out.”
Clarifying Punjab’s record in examinations, the Chief Minister said, “During the last four years of our government’s tenure, there hasn’t been a single incident of paper leak in Punjab. Cases of cheating were reported during some examinations, but they were detected by the government itself. Whether someone used digital devices, scanning pens, or any other method to cheat, strict action was taken, FIRs were filed, and the culprits were sent to jail. Cheating and paper leaks are two different things, and the opposition is deliberately trying to conflate the two.”
Citing action taken against gangs involved in exam-related crimes, the Chief Minister said, “The gangs involved in such cases have been identified and action has been taken. Previously, gangs operating from Haryana were arrested during recruitment exams. I have a complete list that shows that the highest number of paper leaks occurred in BJP-ruled states.”
Highlighting Punjab’s transparent recruitment policy, the Chief Minister said, “Merit is the only criterion for obtaining government jobs in Punjab. No recommendations, no bribes, government jobs are awarded solely on merit in a transparent manner. So far, more than 68,000 government jobs have been awarded to young people.”
Speaking about the state’s achievements in the field of education, the Chief Minister said, “Due to the tireless efforts of the state government, Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi to achieve the first position in primary and middle school education. The state government has raised the level of primary and middle school education and strengthened the system, introduced smart classrooms, and provided modern training to teachers.”
Highlighting the transformation in the education sector, the Chief Minister said, “As a result of these efforts, Punjab is emerging as a leader in school education. NITI Aayog, one of the main institutions of the Government of India, has released new data showing that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi to achieve the first position in primary and middle school education. Over the past four years, the state government has focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods, and smart classrooms, and today Punjab stands at the top. Previously, Kerala held the top spot, but now Punjab has taken the top spot by a wide margin. More such efforts will be made in the future.”
Reiterating the government’s commitment to quality education, the Chief Minister said, “The state government firmly believes that every child, regardless of their economic background, should receive quality education. The state government is continuously striving to promote the education sector, and its initiatives aim to ensure that children from ordinary families have the same opportunities for advancement as others. Education is the most important tool for empowering future generations and building a prosperous Punjab, and the state government will leave no stone unturned to strengthen it.”
Recalling Punjab’s education journey, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “When I took office, the state ranked 27th in school education. Today, it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab stands at number one. While only 80 students from government schools passed the NEET exam in 2021, this number has increased to 881 students in 2026, marking the highest achievement for Punjab’s government schools to date. The state government has prioritized education and has taken revolutionary steps in the education sector to transform people’s lives.”