CJP Says Accountability Should Extend to Every Education Minister, Not Just One Government
Days after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) nationwide protest over alleged examination irregularities, the organisation has clarified its position on demands for accountability beyond the Centre. Responding to questions about the controversy surrounding alleged paper leak cases in Punjab, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the movement’s initial demand was specifically directed at Dharmendra Pradhan, while reiterating that accountability should apply to education ministers across party lines.
The clarification came during an interview with News18, where author Anand Ranganathan asked whether CJP had also publicly sought the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa over alleged examination paper leak cases in their respective states.
CJP’s Saurav Das Says Immediate Demand Was Dharmendra Pradhan, But Accountability Is Universal
Addressing the question, Saurav Das said the organisation had made its position clear during discussions with the government and had deliberately kept its initial campaign focused.
“We told them that our demand is very specific and we will stick to that.”
Das, however, stressed that the CJP does not believe accountability should be limited to one political party or one government.
“Coming to your point, we have spoken with Mann (Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann) as well. I want to make it clear that all the education minister from whichever party, if they are failing in their job of preventing paper leaks, all of them should be held accountable.”
He further clarified that while the movement’s first objective was centred on the Union Education Ministry, its broader stand remains unchanged.
“We have said it publicly that everyone should be held accountable, but our immediate demand was that of Dharmendra Pradhan’s accountability because a lot of policies and legislations came through him. But I also want to add that whoever fails the youth, not just any education minister, we will keep raising voice for their resignation and accountability as well.”
The remarks underline CJP’s position that responsibility for examination-related irregularities should not be determined by political affiliation but by administrative accountability.
CJP’s Clarification Comes as Punjab Paper Leak Allegations Trigger Political Debate
The clarification comes amid an intensifying political row in Punjab, where opposition parties, including the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), have demanded the resignation of Harjot Singh Bains, citing multiple alleged paper leak incidents in the state.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, however, has rejected allegations that competitive examination papers were leaked. According to him, authorities uncovered attempts to cheat using digital devices, and those involved were identified and arrested. The Punjab government has maintained that these incidents do not amount to examination paper leaks.
Following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned additional charge of the Education Ministry.
While CJP’s first nationwide agitation focused on the Union government’s handling of alleged examination irregularities, Saurav Das has now clarified that the organisation’s broader position remains consistent: any education minister, irrespective of party affiliation, should be held accountable if they fail to prevent paper leaks or protect the integrity of the examination system.