Punjab Assembly Sees Ruckus Over Paper Leaks as Censure Motion Passed Against Centre
The opening day of the Punjab Assembly session in Chandigarh on August 3, 2026, saw high drama and noisy protests as the Opposition Congress confronted the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government over examination paper leaks in the state. Simultaneously, the Assembly passed a censure motion by voice vote targeting the BJP-led Union government over paper leak incidents across India.
What Happened
During Question Hour, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised concerns over alleged examination paper leaks occurring in Punjab over the last four-and-a-half years under the AAP administration. Bajwa stated that six exam paper leak incidents had transpired during this period and called for the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Bains. He also demanded the resignation of Health Minister Balbir Singh in connection with a cheating racket uncovered in the pharmacy officer recruitment examination. Congress legislators rushed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans against the government, prompting a brief adjournment of proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly passed a censure motion by voice vote condemning recurring examination leaks nationwide under the BJP-led Union government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the House, stating that 93 paper leaks had taken place across the country since 2014, leaving student aspirations shattered and criticizing the response of central authorities to student protests.
Key Highlights
- Congress MLAs disrupted Assembly proceedings over state-level recruitment examination leaks.
- Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa demanded the resignations of Education Minister Harjot Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh.
- Protests in the Well of the House led to a brief adjournment of the proceedings.
- The Assembly passed a censure motion by voice vote against the BJP-led Centre regarding national paper leaks.
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the censure motion will be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Why This Matters
The legislative confrontation highlights the political debate surrounding recruitment integrity in both state and national examination systems. While the Opposition sought accountability from state ministers over local examination breaches, the ruling party directed attention to nationwide exam security failures, emphasizing the severe impact on student aspirations.
What to Watch Next
The state government plans to forward the adopted censure motion to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Ministry of Education, and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, urging central authorities to implement stricter safeguards for examination credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the disruptions in the Punjab Assembly?
Congress Opposition members protested during Question Hour over six alleged examination paper leak incidents in Punjab, demanding the resignations of Education Minister Harjot Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh.
What was the censure motion passed by the Punjab Assembly?
The Assembly passed a censure motion by voice vote against the BJP-led Union government, highlighting repeated paper leak incidents across the country since 2014.
Where will the censure motion be sent?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the motion would be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Ministry of Education, and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.