Crocodile tears in Delhi, zero action in Punjab: SAD MP targets AAP over paper leaks

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing its leadership of hypocrisy over the ongoing NEET-UG 2026 paper leak protests and alleging that the party had failed to act against repeated examination scandals in Punjab.

Her remarks came amid the escalating agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leading protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and calling for nationwide demonstrations on Friday. The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and action over alleged irregularities in the examination process.

Taking aim at AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Badal questioned why the Punjab government had not fixed accountability despite multiple paper leak controversies during its tenure.

"In four years, there have been six paper leaks. Yahan pe aake (in Delhi) crocodile tears, aur wahan pe zero action. Yahan pe badi badi baatein, aur wahan pe chuppi (in Punjab)," she said.

'SIX PAPER LEAKS, NO ACCOUNTABILITY'

The Bathinda MP cited a series of alleged examination scandals, including the Naib Tehsildar recruitment exam, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) English paper leak, the Agriculture Officer recruitment examination and the recent Baba Farid University pharmacist recruitment paper leak.

She questioned why no minister had been held accountable despite what she described as repeated failures to safeguard the integrity of recruitment examinations.

Referring to the latest controversy involving the Baba Farid University pharmacist recruitment exam, Badal alleged that a syndicate had been operating outside examination centres, charging candidates between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 13 lakh to facilitate cheating using Bluetooth devices and hidden cameras.

She also questioned why the examination had not been cancelled even three days after the alleged malpractice came to light.

NEET ROW ESCALATES

Badal's remarks come as the political battle over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continues to intensify. The CJP has announced nationwide protests on Friday against what it calls "police brutality" during recent demonstrations, urging supporters, student unions and civil society groups to hold peaceful protests across districts.

The agitation, which began at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20, has evolved into a wider political confrontation after clashes between protesters and police earlier this week. The outfit has continued to insist that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is "non-negotiable".