Ashok Chaudhary Not Alone: Several Bihar Ministers Have Faced Fake Degree Allegations

Bihar politics is once again reverberating with allegations of fake degrees. This time, the controversy centers on Rural Works Minister Ashok Chaudhary. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has alleged that his degree is fraudulent.

In recent days, the issue of fake degrees has gained significant attention in Bihar’s political circles. In the Legislative Council, Rural Works Minister Ashok Chaudhary came under the scrutiny of RJD MLC Sunil Singh, who labeled the minister’s degree as fake. In response, Chaudhary challenged Singh to prove the claim with evidence and further stated that if he fails, Singh should resign from his MLC position. Following heated exchanges between the minister and the MLC, the Council instructed that the matter be removed from official proceedings.

However, Ashok Chaudhary is not the first minister in Bihar to face allegations of holding a fake degree. Several other ministers and legislators have previously been accused of submitting fraudulent academic credentials. Here’s a look at some of them:

Ashok Chaudhary’s Degree Controversy

The Bihar Legislative Council proceedings recently turned tense during a discussion between Minister Ashok Chaudhary and MLC Sunil Singh. Singh questioned the minister’s academic qualifications, claiming that his degree is fake. He also highlighted discrepancies regarding names used in official records, implying that the truth was known to certain members. Angered by the allegations, Chaudhary issued a challenge: either prove the degree is fake with evidence or the accuser should resign from their position.

Samrat Chaudhary’s Degree Under Fire

The allegations against Samrat Chaudhary, former BJP state president, date back to June 2023. JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar claimed that Chaudhary’s D.Litt. degree from the “California Public University, USA” was invalid, asserting that such a university does not exist. Kumar further questioned the name used by Samrat Chaudhary at the time he supposedly earned the degree, citing discrepancies in the 2020 affidavit submitted by him.

Allegations Against MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachoul

BJP leader Haribhushan Thakur Bachoul has also faced accusations of holding a fake degree. The claim, again raised by JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, alleged that Bachoul listed a bachelor’s degree from Ram Sevak Singh Women’s College, Sitamarhi in his affidavit for the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections. Kumar highlighted the irregularity, as a male candidate cannot be awarded a degree from a women’s college. Bachoul later described this as a clerical mistake. While the JDU has since allied with the BJP in government, opposition members continue to raise these allegations against Bachoul.

The recent controversy surrounding Ashok Chaudhary adds to Bihar’s ongoing narrative of political and academic accountability, highlighting how issues of transparency and integrity in public office remain highly debated.