Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday organised coordinated demonstrations across Punjab, stepping up its campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak and issues surrounding the country’s examination system. The protests, held under the banner “Thali Bajao, Tanashahi Bhagao”, saw party workers gathering in districts across the state to voice support for students.
Protesters assembled at public places, carrying placards and beating steel plates as a symbolic gesture against what the party described as the Centre’s failure to protect the interests of young aspirants. Senior party leaders joined the district-level programmes, alleging that students had been forced to bear the consequences of repeated lapses in competitive examinations.
AAP leaders said the campaign was intended to send a message that the concerns of students cannot be ignored. According to the party, young people preparing for national-level examinations deserve a transparent and credible system free from irregularities.
The demonstrations come amid nationwide outrage over the alleged NEET paper leak, an issue that has triggered protests in several parts of the country. AAP has sought to position itself firmly alongside students, accusing the BJP-led Union government of failing to ensure fairness in the examination process.
Party representatives claimed that the protest was not merely a political exercise but a show of solidarity with lakhs of students whose futures depend on transparent recruitment and admission processes. They argued that restoring public confidence in competitive examinations should be treated as a national priority.
Political analysts view the campaign as part of AAP’s broader strategy to strengthen its connection with young voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab. The BJP, meanwhile, has been attempting to expand its political footprint in the state after emerging from the shadow of its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal.
While AAP continued to criticise the Centre over the handling of the examination controversy, the BJP has maintained that it is committed to taking strict action against those involved in any malpractice and has rejected allegations of being indifferent to students’ concerns.
As political parties continue to trade charges over the issue, the NEET controversy remains one of the most debated national topics, with education reforms and examination integrity emerging as key issues in the public discourse.
