The paper leak scandal in Uttarakhand has sparked widespread protests, especially among youth and competitive exam aspirants. The recent arrest of key accused, including Mohammad Khalid, Hakam Singh, and Pankaj God, has failed to quell public anger. Protesters, especially in Haldwani, have initiated hunger strikes demanding a CBI inquiry, alleging that the arrested are mere pawns while the true masterminds remain free. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has termed the incident a conspiracy against his government and referred to it as a form of “Paper Jihad.” He has assured zero tolerance, forming an SIT for investigation and suspending several officials, including professors, magistrates, and police personnel. However, the government’s refusal to order a CBI probe has only intensified the unrest. Honest candidates are disheartened as results have been put on hold pending investigation. Meanwhile, in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, internal NDA rivalry turned violent during a political event in Gayaghat. Supporters of ticket aspirants clashed, with chairs thrown and chaos erupting on stage. Notably, Komal Singh, daughter of an MP, and Prabhat Kiran, daughter of ex-MLA Maheshwar Yadav, were involved in a heated confrontation.
