New Delhi: Amid escalating protests over alleged paper leaks in competitive examinations and repeated disruptions in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the Centre will establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.
In a message posted on social media, the Prime Minister said protecting the interests of students remained the government’s top priority and asserted that those responsible for jeopardising the future of young people would not be spared.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” Modi said, adding that he had directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to operationalise the fast-track courts. He described the move as part of a broader series of measures aimed at safeguarding students’ interests and ensuring accountability in examination-related offences.
The announcement marks the Prime Minister’s first direct public statement on the issue since protests over alleged examination irregularities gathered momentum across the country. Earlier this week, during the NDA parliamentary meeting, Modi had described paper leaks as a “grave sin” and stressed the need for strict action.
The Opposition, however, dismissed the announcement as inadequate and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of failing to protect the country’s education system, alleging that widespread paper leaks had damaged the future of students. Repeating the Opposition’s demands, Gandhi called for Pradhan’s removal, an apology to students and action against those allegedly involved in the police crackdown on protesters.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal also criticised the Prime Minister’s announcement, calling it an “eyewash” and maintaining that students would not be satisfied without the Education Minister stepping down.
The ongoing agitation, led by students and supported by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has entered its second month. Protesters are demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, comprehensive reforms in the examination system, the resignation of the Education Minister, and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following paper leak incidents.
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protests would continue until Pradhan was removed from office, adding that public anger was increasingly being directed at the Prime Minister over what protesters described as the government’s inaction.
The organisation also alleged that protesters at Jantar Mantar had been threatened by individuals linked to pro-government groups. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also shared a video on X showing a group of people threatening the protesters.
The controversy also continued to stall Parliament proceedings on Thursday.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon after Opposition members insisted that Pradhan resign before any discussion on the paper leak issue could begin.
In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared to hold a discussion immediately and urged the Opposition not to attach preconditions. However, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge maintained that the Education Minister’s resignation was necessary before any debate could take place.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to allow the Question Hour to function and assured them that the government was willing to discuss all issues, including the paper leak controversy, after the scheduled business.
The government has maintained that it is ready for a parliamentary debate, while accusing the Opposition of obstructing proceedings by insisting on Pradhan’s resignation as a precondition.
