Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday challenged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal to an open debate over alleged paper leaks and recruitment scams in Punjab, accusing the state government of failing to hold anyone accountable.
Addressing a protest at Government Rajindra College in Bathinda as part of the Students Organisation of India’s (SOI) ‘Bhavikh Bachao Morcha’, Badal demanded the immediate resignation of Punjab ministers Harjot Bains and Balbir Singh and a CBI probe into 10 alleged paper leak cases.
Badal claimed that the examination leaks had affected more than 10 lakh students across Punjab and questioned why no senior official or minister had resigned over the issue.
BADAL CHALLENGES KEJRIWAL OVER STUDENT PROTESTS
Taking aim at Kejriwal, Badal questioned why the AAP leader had protested for students in Delhi but had not held a similar demonstration for students in Punjab.
“Are they not your children? Why are you betraying Punjabi students like this?” Badal asked.
He challenged Kejriwal to an open debate at any university in Punjab, saying he would present what he described as facts and figures on alleged paper leaks, recruitment of candidates from outside the state and the exclusion of Punjabi youth from government employment.
BADAL ALLEGES RECRUITMENT OF OUTSIDERS
Badal alleged that more than half of the 60,000 jobs claimed to have been provided by the AAP government had gone to candidates from outside Punjab.
He cited recruitment figures to allege that 24 candidates from Haryana and 12 from Rajasthan were appointed among 68 Veterinary Inspectors. He also claimed that 600 candidates from Haryana and 100 from Rajasthan were recruited for 2,100 Lineman posts.
Badal further alleged that 60% of newly created posts in the Punjab Health Systems Corporation had gone to candidates from outside the state.
100% GOVERNMENT JOBS FOR PUNJABIS
Badal announced that the SAD would reserve 100% of government jobs in Punjab for Punjabis if the party returned to power in 2027.
He said the previous SAD government had introduced legislation aimed at securing jobs for Punjabis, but alleged that the AAP government had subsequently overturned it.
“We will bring back legislation to secure jobs in Punjab for Punjabis,” Badal said.
He also announced that a future SAD government would provide industrial incentives only to companies that employ at least 75% Punjabis.
EDUCATION REFORMS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS
Badal said the SAD would amend the education law to reserve 50% of seats in private universities for poor Punjabi students, with the government bearing half of their fees.
He said the same formula would be extended to medical and veterinary colleges.
Badal also promised to establish a World Skill University in Punjab to train young people in partnership with major companies and facilitate their employment.
He further announced Rs 10 lakh interest-free loans for young people seeking to start their own businesses.
STUDENT LEADERS DEMAND PROBE
Student leaders at the protest demanded an investigation into the alleged financial transactions linked to the Pharmacy paper leak.
SOI leaders claimed that Rs 13 lakh to Rs 15 lakh had changed hands in connection with the alleged leak and sought a probe into the matter.
Other student leaders demanded free education for girls in Punjab and accused the AAP leadership of compromising the interests of students.
Badal said the SAD would continue its agitation until those responsible for the alleged irregularities were held accountable and the ministers facing demands for resignation stepped down.
– Ends
Published By:
Zafar Zaidi
Published On:
Aug 11, 2026 05:43 IST
