Kathmandu— State Home Minister Priyank Kharge defended the Karnataka government's actions to maintain law and order during recent disruptions at a police recruitment exam, rejecting calls from the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) for his resignation. The controversy erupted after students walked out of an examination center in Tikota Sharadamba PU College due to confusion over OMR sheet numbers.

Exam Disruptions Spark Political Tensions

Tensions escalated when a small group of candidates at the Police Constable exam center noticed discrepancies between their OMR sheets and question papers, leading some students to walk out. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) later clarified that there was no requirement for these numbers to match, emphasizing that misinformation spread on social media had misled some candidates.

Kharge emphasized his government's responsibility to ensure the majority of candidates could complete their exams undisturbed and defended the police action taken to maintain order. He pointed out that while around 120 students were involved in the disruption, over a lakh (one hundred thousand) candidates successfully completed the exam.

Opposition Demands Minister's Resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) have called for Kharge’s resignation, accusing him of mishandling the situation. Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and BJP leaders argued that his response was inadequate and demanded immediate action.

Kharge responded by challenging opposition leaders to undergo a 25-day hunger strike before demanding resignations, mirroring past political stances taken during the PSI recruitment scam. He accused media outlets of misrepresenting his statements and distorting public perception.

Government Announces Investigation into Misinformation

In response to the backlash, Kharge announced that he has instructed the Home Department to investigate media outlets and individuals spreading misinformation about the exam disruptions. He stated that fake news is not journalism but a deliberate attempt to destabilize public confidence in ongoing government recruitment drives.

Kharge also clarified that his remarks were directed at political theatrics rather than students, emphasizing the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in all recruitment examinations.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.