Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday promised a new law to tackle exam question paper leaks and fast-track courts to deal with those accused of the crime, as the government pushed to break an impasse with protesting students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Representatives of the government and the Sarwar Janata Party (CJP), which leads the Jantar Mantar movement and has called for nationwide protests, are likely to meet around noon on Friday, people familiar with the developments said. Follow live updates on the CJP protest here.
The meeting – which is likely to be held at the Constitution Club and includes Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and APC representative Ashutosh Ranka, according to the people cited above – will be the first between the two sides since July 20.
Modi said the Cabinet would discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday and discuss a draft law to check violations in exams. “Stricter measures against paper leaks will come in tomorrow’s government!” He said in a video on X.
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The Prime Minister said in the letter that after directing the establishment of fast-track courts, the draft law was handed over to him for discussion in the Cabinet on Friday. He expressed hope that the bill would be passed in the coming week of the ongoing monsoon period, which has been ignored so far.
“This is not an ordinary case. It is a painful moment for millions of students and their parents. In the past two and a half months, many steps have been taken…the accused are in prison,” he said.
He added: “Our biggest responsibility was that students did not lose a single year. Organizing exams was important, and the government ensured that exams were held… There are reports of students celebrating their success.”
The CJP posted a satirical meme on X, citing the Prime Minister’s post. “Modi ji, remove Dharmendra Pradhan tomorrow. This is the strictest measure you can take,” Ranka said on Channel X.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi. “Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Don’t insult their intelligence with this pathetic video in the middle of the night,” he said on Channel X.
Minutes earlier, the government transferred Higher Education Minister Vineet Joshi to the Panchayati Raj Ministry and replaced him with Naresh Pal Gangwar as part of a larger bureaucratic reshuffle. TK Anil Kumar has been appointed Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department.
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The CJP rejected the move. “The demand remains constant: the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,” the party said.
Earlier in the day, Modi promised speedy courts to deal with the paper leaks.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy and strict punishment of those involved in the leak of papers. We have directed the relevant 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,” he posted on X.
He added: “Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”
Thousands of young people continued to flock to Jantar Mantar, chanting slogans and carrying placards, defying traffic restrictions, the closure of 17 metro stations, and police officers detaining people from intersections from cars. Delhi Police said at least 200 people were arrested for carrying posters and pepper spray.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the government has made four attempts to hold a dialogue with the CJP.
But the protesters hit back, pointing out that neither Nadda – who met two RJD representatives on July 20 – nor Singh had spoken about their main demand: Pradhan’s dismissal.
