Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has sparked controversy by calling the recent Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (USSSC) paper leak “Nakal Jihad,” following the arrest of the main accused, Khalid, and his sister Sabia. Dhami introduced the term at a BJP training workshop in Dehradun, linking the leak to what he called a collaboration between the “coaching mafia” and “copying mafia.”
Speaking to party office bearers, Dhami said, “We will not sit quiet till our government buries copying mafia underground and ruins them forever.” State BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt supported the chief minister, stating the government is committed to eradicating what he also referred to as “nakal jihad,” describing it as an obstacle to development.
The paper leak case has drawn widespread protests across Uttarakhand. Thousands of youths and social activists demonstrated against the leak in the recently-held UKSSSC examination, which included posts for Patwaris, BDOs, and other subordinate services. The protests forced the government to order a special investigation team (SIT) probe under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge to ensure transparency.
Police reports state that Khalid sent three exam papers containing 12 questions via WhatsApp to his sister, who obtained answers from her friend. Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
Critics have condemned Dhami’s use of “Nakal Jihad,” calling it communal and discriminatory. Human rights groups warn that such terminology targeting a minority community could worsen social tensions and shift focus away from systemic issues in examination administration.
