Punjab pharmacy officer exam row: Youth Akali Dal stages BFUHS protest, seeks resignation of Education and Health ministers

 

The alleged irregularities in Punjab's pharmacy officer recruitment examination have sparked fresh political protests, with the Youth Akali Dal and the Students Organisation of India (SOI) staging a sit-in outside Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in Faridkot. The protesters demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh, alleging accountability for the controversy surrounding the July 19 recruitment examination.

The demonstration comes amid growing concerns over examination integrity and follows a police investigation into what authorities have described as a sophisticated cheating racket.

Protest targets ministers over exam controversy

During the protest at BFUHS, Youth Akali Dal leaders accused the Punjab government of failing to prevent alleged malpractice in the pharmacy officer recruitment examination.

The opposition also alleged inconsistency in the government's stand on examination transparency, claiming that while it had demanded accountability over national-level examination controversies, it had not taken similar action in cases reported within Punjab.

Protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation if the government failed to act on their demand for the resignation of the two ministers.

Police describe case as high-tech cheating network

According to investigators, the case involves an organised cheating network that allegedly used electronic devices to help candidates during the recruitment examination.

Police said the racket reportedly charged candidates between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 13 lakh for facilitating cheating during the test.

So far, authorities have arrested 28 candidates along with seven alleged gang members after recovering Bluetooth-enabled devices from examination centres in Faridkot, Kotkapura and Ferozepur.

The investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged network and identify others who may have been involved.

Opposition raises concerns over examination integrity

Akali Dal leader Parambans Singh Bunty Romana criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging repeated examination irregularities in the state over the past four years.

The opposition argued that recurring allegations of paper leaks and organised cheating have raised serious concerns about the credibility of recruitment examinations and called for stronger safeguards to protect merit-based selection.

Focus on transparent recruitment

The latest controversy has once again brought examination security and recruitment transparency into focus. With the police investigation underway, attention is now on whether further arrests or administrative action will follow.

The outcome of the probe is expected to influence future measures aimed at strengthening security during competitive examinations and restoring confidence among candidates appearing for government recruitment tests.