Pradhan’s resignation shifts focus to Harjot Bains as Congress raises pressure in Punjab

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET controversy has quickly altered the political conversation in Punjab, with Congress leaders turning their attention towards state Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and seeking accountability over alleged paper leak incidents in the state.

The shift came after students gathered in large numbers outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Jalandhar on Saturday. Many of them had been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, saying they would continue their protest until action was taken at the Centre.

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When reports of the resignation reached the protest site, the atmosphere changed noticeably. Some students said they felt their agitation had finally produced a result, though several also argued that the decision should not have taken this long.

A woman participating in the demonstration said the larger issue was not just one resignation but ensuring that students do not have to live with uncertainty about competitive examinations in the future.

Placards carrying satirical slogans and meme-style messages were visible at the protest, reflecting the way younger protesters have been using social media culture as part of their agitation.

One of the protesters, Yagima, said the students wanted the government to provide treatment to those allegedly injured during police action at Jantar Mantar and also extend support to families affected by the NEET controversy.

The political reactions in Punjab soon became sharper.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said the resignation showed that sustained public pressure could force accountability. In a post on X, he said the issue had been kept alive both inside Parliament and on the streets by students and opposition leaders.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira went a step further and directly linked the development to Punjab politics. He called Pradhan’s resignation a “people’s victory” and said a similar standard should apply in Punjab. Referring to alleged paper leak incidents in the state, Khaira demanded the resignation of Harjot Singh Bains and said the government must explain what steps had been taken to prevent such controversies.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also used the occasion to intensify pressure on the AAP government. In a post on X, he said the first victory belonged to the youth of India, but added that “now it is Punjab’s turn.” Warring alleged that multiple paper leak cases had surfaced in the state without clear accountability and said the education minister should take responsibility if lapses had occurred.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, congratulated people across the country on Pradhan’s resignation and described it as a victory for democracy.

A different note came from BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon, who said Pradhan’s long association with public life and the education sector should also be remembered. Dhillon said education leadership involved balancing the interests of students, parents and teachers, and that political office was temporary while contributions to institutions lasted longer.

With the Centre having acted in the NEET controversy, opposition parties in Punjab are now attempting to frame the debate around whether the same principle of accountability should extend to the state government.

So far, neither Harjot Singh Bains nor the Punjab government has issued a detailed response to the opposition’s demand for his resignation. The AAP government has maintained that allegations relating to examination irregularities are being dealt with through the appropriate administrative process.

The issue is now emerging as a fresh political flashpoint in Punjab, with Congress seeking to keep the pressure on the education department while the ruling party faces growing questions from the opposition over examination-related controversies.