Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that the welfare of youth is of paramount importance and the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to punish those responsible for leaking papers.
“Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our youth!” he posted on his official X account. Follow live updates on the CJP protest here
The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid ongoing protests by students and activists over irregularities in the conduct of examinations, including leakage of NEET (UG) National Eligibility Test papers.
He said: “We have decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure prompt and strict punishment for those involved in leaking the papers. We have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This is a continuation of our series of steps to protect the interests of students.”
“We will not survive those who try to harm the future of our youth,” he said.
On Tuesday, while addressing National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators at the parliamentary meeting, he urged MPs to reach out to the youth and address their concerns seeking to emphasize that the harshest penalties should be imposed on those involved in irregularities such as leaking papers.
This is Prime Minister Modi’s first reaction to the ongoing protests demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over paper leaks and student suicides.
CJP reaction to PM Modi
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is leading the protests in Jantar Mantar, responded to the Prime Minister’s post.
“Dharmendra Pradhan should resign,” the satirical front wrote on X.
Workers’ protests
The July 20 protest, launched by the CJP over the NEET paper leak, gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike. The movement grew after Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar and hospitalized by police. The activist later described, in a handwritten note, what happened as “unlawful detention.”
Police also suppressed a student march to Parliament on Monday. HT earlier reported that Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel used machinery, tear gas and electric batons to disperse the crowd. A number of students and security personnel were injured. They also claimed that some protesters targeted media and security personnel during the march.
Rahul Gandhi demands Pradhan’s resignation
On July 22, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, after which he was arrested by police.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Gandhi called on Modi to apologize to the students who were “assaulted” by the police.
“It is a legitimate demand that Dharmendra Pradhan resign. He has shown the nation and the world that he cannot run an education system. He is also incompetent and perhaps complicit in this drama… This man must go,” he said.
He also called for the police who accused the student demonstrators to be held accountable. He said that these are “non-negotiable” steps towards resolving the crisis.
He said: “Everyone who attacked the students must be held accountable, and the Prime Minister must apologize.”
Rahul Gandhi claims ‘152 leaked papers’.
The Congress leader also alleged that there have been 152 paper leaks since the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014, affecting nearly 75 million students. “What we know is that there have been 152 paper leaks over the past decade. If you do the math, that means roughly one leak every month,” he said.
In response, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the matter is under investigation and assured that the government will provide the facts once the investigation is completed. “This is a matter of investigation, and the government, as a responsible government, will undoubtedly investigate and present the truth to the public and the nation,” he said.
