From “Nakal Jehad’ to CBI probe, a U-Turn by Chief Minister Dhami on recruitment examination leak following robust youth agitation

From “Nakal Jehad’ to CBI probe, a U-Turn by Chief Minister Dhami on recruitment examination leak following robust youth agitation

S.M.A. KAZMI

Dehradun, Sept 29

The state wide agitation by the youth against recruitment examination paper leak of Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission has forced the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take a U-turn on the issue and agreed to conduct a CBI inquiry into the examination paper leak case. On the assurance of the Chief Minister, agitating youth decided to postpone their struggle.

The question paper of graduate level recruitment examination held on September was leaked from a centre in Haridwar district forcing the youth across the state to agitate against such frequent recruitment examination paper leak and irregularities. The unemployed youth and students started a dharna at parade ground in Dehradun while youth in various cities and towns organised rallies and procession in support of their demands. They demanded that a CBI probe should be ordered and the examination should be postponed.

The initial reaction of the state government and its’ functionaries including the police officials was that the question paper was not leaked and only three pages of the said question paper were sent out. The state government officials and BJP leaders kept on singing this tune till Chief Minister Dhami came up with another interesting claim. Since the candidate who reportedly sent the question paper from his mobile phone outside the examination hall happened to be a Muslim named Khalid Malik, Chief Minister in his time- tested tactics of targeting Muslims in the state termed the episode as “Nakal Jehad’. During his more than four years of tenure, he has invented different kind of ‘jehads’ including ‘Love Jehad’, ‘Land Jehad’, ‘Mazar Jehad’, ‘Thook Jehad’.

Interestingly, few days before the recruitment examination, Hakam Singh along with an accomplice, a mastermind of the 2021 similar examination leak was arrested on the charges of promising success for money. Hakam Singh was a ruling BJP leader and a close associate of several senior party leaders including former Chief Ministers.

The ruling party troll army and plaint media taking a cue started to vilify the agitation by youth by claiming that leftist and even anti-national elements have penetrated in the agitation and allegedly instigating the youth. But, sadly for the right- wing ruling party brigade it did not cut much ice amongst the common people particularly youth who continue to agitate in support of their demands. The opposition parties including left parties, main opposition Congress, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) and statehood agitators also extended their support.

With next state assembly elections to be held in January 2026 in mind and gauging the public anger, Chief Minister today went to the protest site himself and announced a CBI probe into the issue. Earlier, the state government had formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) of police to probe the matter within a month to be monitored by a retired high court judge.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami claimed that his government believe in a clean and transparent examination and made an emotional appeal to the youth. He said that the case is being investigated by the SIT under the supervision of the retired judge of the High Court. But bowing to the demand of the youth he will recommend a CBI inquiry and there would be no hindrance in it.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress has rejected the announcement of the Chief Minister. Suryakant Dhasmana, senior vice-president and organising secretary of Uttarakhand Congress said that the proposed programme of the party to ‘ghroe’ the residence of Chief Minister stands. He said that it was difficult to believe the BJP since the CBI probe ordered by former BJP Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in national high way scandal has not seen the light of the day even after eight years. He further said that the central government should immediately cede to the recommendation and order a CBI probe within 24 hours. He demanded that the chairman of UKSSSC should be removed forthwith and examination in question should be re-held.

Indresh Maikhuri, secretary of Uttarakhand unit of CPI(ML)in statement said that the BJP governments stands exposed in taking a U- Turn under pressure. “ Earlier, they were calling the agitation chaos by some anti-social elements and even officers claimed that it was not a paper leak. Then they tried to vilify the agitation and some of the supporters of youth by describing them as leftists and anti-national. The Chief Minister to communalize the issue, himself called the issue as “Nakal Jehad,” he said.

He further said that the way false information about the youth movement and those who supported them was spread on social media platforms by ruling party troll army was worrisome and even shameful. “ The kind of rumors that were spread on social media about the agitating young woman Rajni, activist- journalist Trilochan Bhatt and other agitators on social media platforms was utterly shameful on social media and strict action should be taken against those who spread such false rumors,” he added.

Indresh Maikhuri demanded that the state government should ensure an effective mechanism of conducting all competitive examinations in an independent, fair and transparent manner.