Opposition parties in Punjab on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its newly launched Sikhya Kranti campaign, branding it a mere publicity stunt rather than a genuine effort to reform the education sector.
They accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of focusing on "inauguration theatrics" instead of addressing basic infrastructural needs in government schools.
The Sikhya Kranti, a 54-day-long education festival initiated by the Punjab government, was launched on Monday. Under this campaign, the state plans to inaugurate infrastructure projects worth ₹2,000 crore across 12,000 government schools.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who inaugurated a new block at a School of Eminence in Nawanshahr (SBS Nagar district) alongside former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, defended the initiative. Hitting back at critics, Mann said, “What can I do if the opposition leaders are allergic to the education revolution in Punjab?”
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Opposition Labels It a Propaganda Drive
Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called the Sikhya Kranti campaign “petty theatrics to gain publicity.” He alleged that instead of addressing real challenges — such as staff shortages and crumbling infrastructure — the AAP government is obsessed with holding inauguration ceremonies for even the most minor developments.
“Inauguration plaques are being installed for works as basic as boundary walls, classrooms, or washrooms. Each project has its own plaque, as per instructions sent to teachers,” Bajwa claimed in a statement.
Bajwa further accused the state government of “misusing teachers as propaganda tools,” alleging that Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had directed school principals and teachers to create social media accounts and post promotional content using the hashtag #PunjabSikhyaKranti. “Are teachers meant to educate or promote AAP’s agenda?” Bajwa asked.
He went on to criticize the AAP government’s performance over the last three years, accusing it of focusing on self-promotion rather than governance. “It’s clear that this government survives on fake publicity, not delivery of promises made before and after the 2022 elections,” he added.
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SAD, BJP Term It Vanity and Scam-Oriented
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) echoed similar sentiments, calling the campaign a “scam in the making.” Senior SAD leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema argued that installing plaques for trivial developments was an attempt to replicate what he called a failed “Delhi education model.”
“The Delhi model hasn’t worked. Bringing it to Punjab makes no sense — unless it’s meant to facilitate a scam through corruption,” Cheema said.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also blasted the AAP administration, calling the Sikhya Kranti campaign “shocking and shameful.” “Instead of tackling the crumbling state of education infrastructure, they are indulging in vanity projects funded by taxpayer money,” Chugh said. He also criticized the installation of plaques featuring names of the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and AAP MLAs, calling it an “exercise in political self-glorification.”
Chugh further questioned why Manish Sisodia — who currently holds no constitutional post — was named on the foundation stone in Nawanshahr.
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AAP Defends Campaign, Accuses Critics of Neglect
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, former Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia praised the Mann government’s efforts. He said Punjab was undergoing a “complete transformation” in the education sector and accused the BJP government in Delhi of “looting” parents by allowing private schools to hike fees unchecked.
“They should first care for the parents in Delhi, who are being overcharged by private institutions,” Sisodia said, hitting back at BJP leaders.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also strongly defended the Sikhya Kranti campaign. Addressing a press conference in Mohali, Bains said, “Those who neglected education for decades now have a problem seeing Punjab rise in the education sector. When our schools were crumbling, they stayed silent. Now that students are thriving, they are uncomfortable.”
Bains highlighted the drastic improvements made since the AAP took office. “We inherited around 20,000 government schools in dilapidated condition — lacking boundary walls, proper toilets, basic furniture, or clean drinking water. Today, almost every school has functional boundary walls, gender-segregated toilets, furniture, water facilities, and 90% have Wi-Fi connectivity,” he said.
He questioned why opposition parties had failed to act earlier and why they were now questioning the inauguration of development work instead of acknowledging the progress.
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