‘Systemic corruption’ debate grows as CJP founder questions new education secretary appointment

Delhi: The appointment of IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Gangwar as the education secretary, replacing IAS officer Vineet Joshi, who has been transferred as Secretary of the Department of Panchayati Raj.

The leadership change comes at a time when the CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that the government failed to prevent irregularities in competitive examinations.

CJP questions appointment, says demand for accountability remains

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the appointment, alleging that the government was changing officials without addressing the larger concerns raised by students.

In a post on X, Dipke said: "The government is rewarding corruption instead of ensuring accountability!"

He claimed that replacing one official with another facing allegations did not address the concerns of young people affected by the paper leak controversy.

"This is not accountability. We will not stop until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," he wrote.

The allegations made by Dipke relate to claims against Gangwar, though no findings from a court or official agency establishing wrongdoing were mentioned in his statement.

Who is Naresh Pal Gangwar?

Naresh Pal Gangwar is a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre. Before his appointment as Education Secretary, he was serving as Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Gangwar has previously held several senior administrative positions, including serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, where he handled areas related to pollution control and hazardous substances management.

He has also served as Principal Secretary in the Rajasthan government.

Gangwar holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics and Communications from IIT Roorkee, a Master’s degree in Communication and Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi, and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Rajasthan.

Why the appointment matters amid CJP protest

The appointment comes during a period of intense protests by the CJP at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The group has been demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations, including paper leaks, and has called for reforms in the examination system.

The protests gained national attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike demanding action on examination-related concerns. He ended his 26-day fast after receiving written assurances from the Centre regarding reforms.

CJP-government dialogue continues

The appointment also comes as the CJP and the government have begun discussions to address the ongoing protest.

A delegation of CJP representatives met senior government leaders, including Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.

While some issues were discussed, CJP leaders have maintained that the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains their main demand.

The group has said that assurances on reforms and other measures will not be enough without political accountability.

Government announces steps on paper leak issue

The controversy has also led the government to announce measures aimed at preventing future examination irregularities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft Bill providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment for those involved in paper leaks.

The government has said that investigations into alleged irregularities are underway and that steps are being taken to strengthen the examination system.

Background: CJP protest and education ministry controversy

The CJP movement began after allegations of irregularities in competitive examinations triggered protests by students and activists.

The protesters have accused authorities of failing to protect the integrity of examinations and have demanded stronger safeguards to ensure fairness for students.

The issue has since become a major political confrontation, with Opposition parties supporting demands for accountability and the government facing pressure to address concerns raised by students.

With the appointment of a new Education Secretary, the focus has now shifted to whether administrative changes will satisfy protesters or whether the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation will continue to drive the movement.