Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, called out the BJP-led Central Government for throttling democracy and freedom of expression, saying that the blocking of his speech delivered in Parliament on matters of public interest on Instagram in India is the biggest proof that the BJP government has become completely intolerant of criticism.

The AAP MP said that removing or restricting in India the parliamentary speech of an elected Member of Parliament (MP) chosen by nearly 15 lakh voters is an insult to democratic institutions and the mandate of the people. If what is said inside Parliament is not allowed to reach the public, there can be no greater example of dictatorship.

Speaking about the discussion in Parliament on the Bill related to the NEET examination, AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said, “During the discussion, I spoke about the BJP government’s policies over the past 12 years and issues concerning the youth. The recent nationwide agitation by NEET aspirants was not limited to the examination alone, but became a symbol of the unity of the country’s youth and their fight for their rights. Under the pressure of this movement, the government was forced to accept the resignation of one of its ministers. However, the government is not upset over the minister’s resignation. It is deeply troubled that, for the first time, the youth of the country rose above religion, caste and region to unite over the issue of education and their future.”

Describing what he witnessed at the protest site, the AAP MP stated, “When I visited the site of the demonstration, I saw Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian youth sitting together on one platform. They were singing patriotic songs and raising slogans of ‘Inquilab Zindabad.’ It is this unity that has disturbed the BJP the most because, for the past 12 years, the BJP has built its political narrative by dividing people on the basis of religion and caste through the ‘Godi Media’ and ‘WhatsApp University’. However, this youth movement demolished that entire narrative and exposed the BJP’s divisive politics.”

Commenting on the BJP’s electoral strategy, Meet Hayer asserted, “The BJP does not want the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and other states to be fought on issues such as education, unemployment, inflation and the future of the youth. The BJP wants elections to revolve only around Hindu-Muslim issues and religious polarisation because it has no answers to offer the people on real issues. In Punjab too, the BJP is trying to divide society in the name of Hindus and Sikhs, but the youth of Punjab and the country have now awakened and understood the BJP’s politics.”

Raising concerns over the education system, the AAP MP emphasised, “Instead of reforming the examination system, the government is resorting to cosmetic measures. In developed countries, the Air Force is not used to transport examination question papers, whereas in India such decisions are being projected as major achievements. The government talks about banning platforms like Telegram, whereas what is actually needed is comprehensive reform of the education and examination system. India should learn from the education systems of developed nations instead of joining the ranks of countries where democratic institutions are weak and freedom of expression is restricted.”

Speaking on the blocking of his parliamentary speech, Meet Hayer said, “I did not use a single unparliamentary word during my speech in Parliament. I merely exposed the BJP’s politics of dividing people on the basis of religion, caste and community to gain power. Despite this, my parliamentary speech was blocked on Instagram in India.”

He also showed journalists evidence that while the video was visible on his Instagram account, anyone opening the link in India was shown the message, “Post is not available in India.” Meet Hayer added, “If even a speech delivered in Parliament is subjected to such restrictions, it amounts to a direct attack on democracy.”

Responding to a question on legal action, the AAP MP said, “AAP’s legal team is studying the entire matter and examining all legal options. The party will take every possible legal and constitutional step to protect democracy and freedom of expression.”

Commenting on cases being registered against students during the NEET agitation, Meet Hayer stated, “The BJP government has betrayed its promise. While persuading the students to end their agitation, they were assured that no FIRs or legal action would be taken against them. However, cases are now being registered against those very students. This is a clear example of the government’s deceitful and repressive mindset. Young people who fought for the future of education in the country are now being treated like criminals.”

Referring to the police action during the agitation, he added, “Several videos have surfaced showing lathi-charge and inhuman treatment of protesters. Such repression against young people peacefully exercising their democratic right to raise their voice is unacceptable. The Aam Aadmi Party stood with the students during their struggle earlier and will continue to stand firmly with them in the future.”

Responding to a question regarding the FIR registered over remarks against the Prime Minister, Meet Hayer stated, “The situation in the country has deteriorated to the point where anyone criticising the government is being booked and an atmosphere of fear is being created.”

The AAP MP concluded, “The BJP wants to intimidate the youth through criminal cases and repression, but India is the youngest country in the world, and its youth will neither bow before dictatorship nor retreat in the face of threats. The BJP has previously suffered political losses by trying to suppress the voice of the youth, and if it continues on the same path, the people will give it a befitting reply in the time to come.”

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Friday strongly criticised Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, accusing him of making fabricated claims about AAP legislators to divert public attention from the growing infighting, confusion and leadership crisis within the Punjab Congress. He said the Congress leadership was preoccupied with internal power struggles instead of addressing issues concerning the people of Punjab.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had rightly predicted that as the 2027 Assembly elections approach, opposition parties would lose their political balance. “The statements and social media posts being issued by Congress leaders clearly reflected the deep divisions within the party. The situation in the Punjab Congress has deteriorated to such an extent that its leaders are busy fighting each other instead of raising public issues. Every statement and tweet coming from Congress leaders only exposes their internal conflict,” he said.

Rejecting Raja Warring’s claim that 40 to 45 AAP MLAs were in touch with the Congress, Baltej Pannu termed it a fabricated story aimed at diverting attention from the turmoil within the Congress. “Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa had earlier claimed that 30 to 35 MLAs were in contact with him, but later shifted his focus to allegations that even municipal councillors were being poached from the Congress,” he added.

“If Raja Warring’s figures are added to Bajwa’s claims, the Congress would already have enough numbers to form the government. It raises a simple question. If they have so many members with them, why didn’t the Congress form its own government? These contradictory statements only expose the confusion and desperation prevailing within the party,” he said.

Questioning the credibility of the Congress leadership, Baltej Pannu said the party had repeatedly failed to prevent its own senior leaders from joining the BJP. He asked Raja Warring whether he knew when former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh established ties with the BJP, when Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon left the Congress, when former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal switched sides, or when former Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the BJP. “A party that failed to notice its own senior leaders leaving for the BJP has no moral authority to speculate about AAP legislators,” he said.

Taking another swipe at the Congress, Baltej Pannu challenged Raja Warring to first announce candidates for all Assembly constituencies before making claims about the AAP. “The Congress doesn’t even have enough strong candidates to contest all Assembly seats, yet its leaders are dreaming of forming the next government,” he said.

Punjab Police has exposed a Haryana-based inter-state cheating syndicate led by a Bhiwani mastermind that allegedly used sophisticated technology to facilitate cheating in the BFUHS Faridkot pharmacy examination, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said on Friday, asserting that the operation had exposed Haryana’s organised cheating network and put to rest allegations of a paper leak. Pointing out that the Haryana Government allowed the racket to flourish for years, he said the Bhagwant Mann Government would not allow anyone to defame Punjab’s education system, which has transformed from “Udta Punjab” into “Pardha Punjab.”

Addressing a press conference at the PEDA Complex here, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab’s education system is built on transparency and merit, whereas Haryana had failed to curb organised examination fraud despite the racket operating there for years. “The Haryana Chief Minister is busy setting political agendas in other states, but has no time to protect the future of students in his own state,” he added.

The Punjab Education Minister stated, “The Haryana Police failed to act against the cheating syndicate. It was Punjab Police that cracked the BFUHS Faridkot pharmacy examination cheating case, whose trail led to a Bhiwani-based mastermind. Despite this, attempts are being made to defame Punjab.”

Calling Bhiwani the epicentre of the organised cheating network, Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “Bhiwani is not just a city, it has become a factory of cheating. They destroyed the dreams of thousands of young people in Haryana who deserved jobs, admissions and placements. After ruining the future of their own children, they came to Punjab to expand their illegal business. This is the model of the Saini Government, destroy your own and then poison others.”

The Education Minister said the racket had been operating from Haryana by filling forms for competitive examinations and using highly sophisticated gadgets to facilitate cheating. He said the accused used modified Kechaoda (K33) phones converted into micro-chip devices, hidden communication equipment and other advanced gadgets to run the network. “The mastermind belongs to Bhiwani, Haryana. These handlers operated there for years. When their own state failed to act against them, they crossed into Punjab to expand their operations,” he said.

Highlighting Punjab’s progress in education, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the state’s performance has consistently surpassed several better-known education hubs. “Haryana claims Gurugram is its number one education city. But Punjab’s lowest-performing district, Patiala, performs better than Gurugram. Punjab has also surpassed Kerala in primary school education. While they are busy doing politics, we are focused on policy,” he said.

The Education Minister said Punjab’s education reforms have delivered measurable results. “In 2026, 361 students cleared JEE (Main) and 64 qualified JEE (Advanced). In NEET, the number of successful students increased from 437 in 2024 to 882 in 2026, registering more than 100 percent growth in just two years. From fewer than 80 successful students in 2022 to 882 students today from every district, this is what educational integrity delivers,” he said.

Minister Harjot Singh Bains further said the Punjab School Education Department is exploring blockchain technology to make examinations tamper-proof and unhackable. “Punjab is investing in future-ready systems to protect the integrity of examinations. What is Haryana doing? Nothing, because its Chief Minister is busy with photo opportunities,” he remarked.

Becoming emotional during the press conference, the Education Minister said he would never tolerate any attempt to malign Punjab, its students or the state government. “If someone attacks me personally, it does not matter. I am an ordinary person. But I will not hear a word against my Punjab, my Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann or my students. For four years, the Akali Dal, BJP and Congress spread lies against us, but today the entire country knows the truth,” he said.

Issuing a message to the Haryana Government, Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Stop exporting paper leaks and start fixing your own backyard. Punjab has zero tolerance for cheating. We will catch every single person involved. Stop trying to defame Punjab.”

Describing education as his life’s mission, the Minister added, “Education is not merely my portfolio, it is my passion. I will protect the future of every Punjabi student, irrespective of how many conspiracies are hatched against us.”

Punjab Police Dismantled Sophisticated Inter-State Cheating Network: IGP Nilambri Jagdale

Inspector General of Police, Faridkot Range, Nilambri Jagdale, gave a detailed account of the operation through which Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence wing, along with Faridkot and Ferozepur Range Police, dismantled a sophisticated inter-state cheating syndicate having deep roots in Haryana’s Bhiwani. “Let me make one thing absolutely clear. This is not a paper leak case. It is a highly organised, technology-driven cheating racket with inter-state linkages. Ten handlers have been arrested so far, along with 25 candidates who used unfair means during the examination,” said the IGP.

She said investigation has so far identified 13 handlers, including eight from Haryana and Rajasthan and five from Punjab.

Sharing details of the operation, IGP Nilambri Jagdale said that on the morning of July 19, Punjab Police received specific intelligence inputs that an inter-state gang was planning to facilitate cheating during the BFUHS pharmacy examination using advanced wireless and Bluetooth devices. “The intelligence led us to a house in Society Nagar, Faridkot, belonging to Gurmeet Singh. It had been converted into a makeshift control room equipped with wireless transmitters, modified mobile phones and handlers waiting to dictate answers,” she said.

Explaining the modus operandi, the IGP said a candidate from Bhiwani used a spy camera to capture images of the question paper immediately after the examination began. “The images were transmitted to a handler, Sajan of Bhiwani, who solved the paper. The answers were then relayed to the control room, where handlers Deepak and Manjeet dictated the answers to candidates inside examination centres through wireless devices. Before they could execute the plan, Punjab Police teams raided the control room and arrested all six handlers red-handed,” she said.

The IGP said more than 200 Punjab Police personnel were deployed across multiple examination centres, while all supervisors, controllers and observers were immediately alerted to conduct intensive frisking of candidates.

She said police recovered 38 modified Kechaoda phones, including 25 from candidates and 13 from handlers, besides 21 hidden wireless earpieces and two vehicles used in the operation. “The Kechaoda K33 phones were procured from Delhi and modified using tutorials available on YouTube. The devices were stripped of their screens, microphones and speakers before being fitted with RF frequency transmitters. The hidden earpieces fit deep inside the ear canal and are invisible to the naked eye, demonstrating how sophisticated this network had become,” she said.

Clarifying the nature of the investigation, IGP Nilambri Jagdale categorically stated that no government employee, examination official or centre supervisor had been found involved in the case. “I want to make this absolutely clear. This is neither a paper leak case nor is there any involvement of any government employee, officer or examination centre staff. The investigation has established that the cheating gang operated entirely from outside using candidates as conduits,” she said.

The IGP said the investigation is continuing and several accused are still absconding. “Three handlers and four candidates remain at large. Punjab Police teams are conducting raids across Haryana, Rajasthan and several cities of Punjab. We will not rest until every person involved in this conspiracy is brought to justice,” she said.

Reiterating Punjab Police’s commitment, IGP Nilambri Jagdale said, “Punjab Police has a zero-tolerance policy against crime, corruption and unfair means. We will continue to act firmly against anyone attempting to compromise the future of our students.”

On the Shaheedi Diwas of the great revolutionary Shaheed Udham Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday dedicated development projects worth over ₹107 crore to his birthplace, Sunam, including the Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Trauma Centre, Medicines Warehouse and Blood Bank, and paid floral tributes to the legendary freedom fighter at the state-level commemorative function.

During the gathering, the Chief Minister said that building the Punjab and India envisioned by the martyrs requires collective effort, adding that providing quality education, healthcare and employment while eliminating corruption would be the truest tribute to the nation’s freedom fighters. He also asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government is working at the grassroots to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs and cautioned people against attempts to disturb Punjab’s communal harmony ahead of the elections.

Addressing the gathering after dedicating and laying the foundation stone of the projects, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann thanked the people for attending the event in such large numbers despite the scorching heat. “Today is a big day as a state-level function is being organised to commemorate the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh Ji. The Punjab Government has chosen this pious land of Sunam, where Shaheed Udham Singh Ji was born. Since childhood, I have been visiting this land with my father,” he said.

TheChief Minister shared, “When I went to England for the first time in 1993, I especially visited Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh Ji had shot O’Dwyer after a wait of 21 years.”

Referring to his government’s commitment towards the ideals of the freedom fighters, the Chief Minister said, “The AAP Government is fully committed to realising the dreams of the martyrs and heroes of the national freedom struggle. Even after around 80 years of Independence, the country is still not able to fulfil the dreams of the great national leaders. However, from the very first day of assuming office, our government has been working on a fast track to fulfil their dreams,”

Listing the major initiatives of the state government, the Chief Minister said, “Our Government has taken the historic step of easy registry for facilitating the people. More than 68,000 jobs have been given to youth solely on merit. Ninety per cent households in Punjab are getting free electricity. Around 43,000 kilometres of roads are being constructed across the state,” he said.

“The Punjab Government has given power to the farmers during the daytime and laid pipes of 14,000 kilometres in Punjab, equivalent to the distance between Delhi and Vancouver in Canada. We are supplying 21,000 cusecs of water to the fields through these pipes, due to which canal irrigation has increased,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister stated, “Recharge points have been created in canals and rivers so that the water level improves. As a result, the water level has increased by two to four metres. The sole aim of my endeavour is to ensure that everyone is happy and that is why I am working tirelessly for the well-being of every section of society.”

Speaking about education, he said, “When we assumed charge of office in 2022, Punjab was on the 27th rank in the field of education. Today, Punjab is among the frontrunners in the education sector as per the education survey of the Government of India. Today, 882 students from government schools have cleared the NEET examination.”

“It is not freebies but quality education that can transform the destiny of the common man by taking them out of the vicious cycle of poverty,” he added.

Speaking about women empowerment, the Chief Minister said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that from July 1, the women of the state have started getting money in their accounts under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. Every woman is entitled to ₹1,000 per month and women belonging to Scheduled Castes are entitled to ₹1,500 per month. As many as 32 lakh women have already got the money on July 1 and, on August 1, more than 40 lakh women will get the money as a gratitude from the Punjab Government,” he added.

Referring to the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In order to provide comprehensive healthcare to the people, the Punjab Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab.”

“It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which has significantly eased the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. This historic move is aimed at providing universal healthcare to all the families of the state. So far, people have availed free treatment worth more than ₹650 crore,” he added.

Speaking about Punjab’s social harmony, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab is a bouquet in which every colour of flower is there and everyone prospers here on this sacred land. Punjab has very fertile land where every seed can grow, but not the seed of hatred because our unity is very strong. In Punjab, all festivals are celebrated together, be it Ram Navami, Gurpurab or Eid. Due to this, the bond of communal harmony, brotherhood and fraternity is very strong here,” he added.

Referring to the development projects dedicated to the people of Sunam, the Chief Minister said, “Development projects worth ₹107.78 crore have been dedicated to the people of Sunam on the martyrdom day of the great freedom fighter Shaheed Udham Singh Ji. These projects include an Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for youth aspiring to become defence officers, a Trauma Centre for accident victims, a Blood Bank and a Medicines Warehouse,” he said.

“The foundation stone of the Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute has been laid at Cheema village. The project will be developed at a cost of ₹98.68 crore,” he added.

Speaking about the institute, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The institute is being established on 13.42 acres with a total covered area of 2,62,542 square feet. It will provide world-class training facilities for the youth of Punjab, especially the Malwa region, to prepare for careers in the Armed Forces. The institute will prepare students for recruitment into the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and other security forces. Residential accommodation will be available for 500 cadets, and separate modern hostels will be constructed for 250 boys and 250 girls,” he added.

Continuing to elaborate on the Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, the Chief Minister stated, “The campus will include smart digital classrooms, an administrative block, library, study hall and a 300-seat auditorium. Additional facilities will include an open-air theatre, canteen and dining hall. Sports infrastructure will feature two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a swimming pool, hockey and football grounds, a squash court, a modern gymnasium, a parade ground and specialised physical training facilities.”

“The institute will provide advanced training in discipline, leadership, physical fitness and competitive examinations. It reflects the Punjab Government’s vision of nurturing a skilled, disciplined and nation-serving generation of youth,” said the Chief Minister.

Referring to the Trauma Centre, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “A Trauma Centre has been established to provide emergency healthcare services to the people of Sunam and surrounding areas. The project has been completed at a cost of ₹5 crore and its primary objective is to provide timely and quality treatment during the ‘Golden Hour’ after road accidents, helping save precious lives.”

“The centre has a 10-bed Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 24×7 emergency services will be available for patients requiring immediate medical attention. Modern facilities include ventilators, an operation theatre, digital X-ray and CT scan services. The centre will be staffed with orthopaedic specialists, surgeons, experienced nurses and trained technicians,” he added.

Speaking about the Medicines Warehouse, the Chief Minister said, “A Medicines Warehouse has been established in Sunam at a cost of ₹3.68 crore. Its primary purpose is to ensure backup storage and uninterrupted supply of essential medicines to government hospitals and Aam Aadmi Clinics.”

“The warehouse includes a modern cold chain system and cold storage facilities for insulin injections and other temperature-sensitive medicines. It will ensure timely medicine supply to government hospitals and Aam Aadmi Clinics in Sangrur district and nearby areas. Adequate stocks of medicines provided free of cost by the AAP Government will be maintained, ensuring timely availability for patients,” he added.

Referring to the Blood Bank established at Sunam, the Chief Minister said, “A modern Blood Bank has been established in Sunam at a cost of ₹42.19 lakh. It has been set up to ensure the immediate availability of safe blood during emergencies. The Blood Bank will provide timely blood support for emergency patients, surgeries, pregnant women and children suffering from thalassemia. It has a storage capacity of 100 to 150 blood units, and a component separator enables the separation of red blood cells, plasma and platelets from a single unit of blood, allowing multiple patients to benefit,” he added.

“A fully automated testing laboratory has been established to ensure blood safety by screening for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. The Blood Bank will serve not only Sunam but also the surrounding villages and the entire region, proving to be a major healthcare asset. The Punjab Government is committed to perpetuating the glorious legacy of the great national leaders,” he added.

In his address, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora lauded the Chief Minister for dedicating such a major package of development projects to the people of Sunam.

“These projects will go a long way in preserving the glorious heritage of the state and its iconic heroes. The Punjab Government is committed to the well-being of every section of society,” they said.

Among those present on the occasion were senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Barinder Kumar Goel and Dr. Balbir Singh, besides others.