Anjaneya Tewari, Chandigarh : Intensifying its movement against the Punjab Government over long-standing issues in the education sector, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Punjab organized a gherao of the Punjab Legislative Assembly today.
Hundreds of students and activists from across the state gathered in the capital to push for a ten point charter of demands, which includes strict action against paper leak mafias, the restoration of student union elections, the filling of vacant teaching positions, and transparent examination systems.
ABVP leaders accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to protect the interests of students, alleging that recurring examination irregularities and the commercialization of education have severely eroded public confidence in the state’s academic institutions.
Investigation Demanded into Six Paper Leak Cases
Addressing the gathering, ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Solanki expressed grave concern over the state of higher education in Punjab, noting that youth are increasingly migrating abroad or to other states in pursuit of quality education.
Highlighting the recent Pharmacy examination paper leak in the state, Solanki termed paper leaks a direct betrayal of hardworking students and their parents.
“We demand a thorough investigation into all six paper leak cases reported in Punjab so far, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and the enactment of stringent anti-paper leak legislation,” Solanki stated. He also urged the state administration to implement the National Education Policy 2020 to modernize Punjab’s academic framework.
Concurrently, ABVP National Secretary Aditya Takiar criticized the government for allowing unchecked commercialization of education and demanded the immediate establishment of a Higher Education Regulatory Commission to curb arbitrary fee hikes by private institutions.
Condemnation of Police Action and Lack of Faculty
ABVP Punjab State Secretary Jaskaran Singh Bhullar strongly condemned the police response to the peaceful demonstration, alleging that authorities used lathi-charge, manhandling, and arrests to suppress student voices.
“In a democracy, every citizen has the right to raise demands peacefully. Instead of listening to students, the Punjab Government is using police force to silence them,” Bhullar said.
He further pointed out that a majority of teaching positions across colleges and universities in Punjab remain vacant, endangering the academic growth of thousands of students. Bhullar also alleged that the state government is deliberately delaying student union elections to prevent unified student representation.
Fund Allocation Controversy at Panjab University
Raising local institutional grievances, Panjab University Students’ Union President Gaurav veer Singh Sohal accused the state government of starving prestigious heritage institutions of required financial assistance.
Sohal alleged that the Punjab Government has withheld crores of rupees in allocated funds meant for Panjab University.
“Had these funds been released on time, they could have been used to expand hostel accommodations, modernize laboratories, and upgrade sports and research facilities,” Sohal stated, pointing out that many students at the university currently lack proper hostel facilities.
Sohal also urged the state government to immediately establish Anti-Drug Task Forces within educational campuses to combat rising substance abuse among the youth.
ABVP leaders concluded the demonstration by asserting that their agitation will continue across the state until their ten-point charter of demands is met, accountability is fixed, and the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains is secured.
