The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of setting up fast-track courts for paper leakage cases, terming it a “distraction” that fails to address the root cause of NEET paper leakage crisis. The movement reiterated its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying accountability must start with him.
CJP’s response to PM Modi
Soon after the Prime Minister posted on X that the Center would set up fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and strict punishments for those involved in the paper leaks, the RJD issued a terse response on the social media platform.
“Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,” the organization wrote on the X website.
In another response, CJP leader Abhijit Debaki quoted Modi’s message with a picture of Dharmendra Pradhan bearing the text, “Hello, I am nothing”, and criticized both the Prime Minister and the Education Minister over what the organization called the government’s rejection of Pradhan’s resignation demand.
“Fast courts are not the solution”
In a detailed statement issued later, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the Prime Minister’s announcement failed to address the real problem behind repeated leaks of examination papers.
“Announcing fast-track courts is not a real solution. It is just a distraction. The Prime Minister is making a cruel joke about the future of millions of students across this country,” Ranka said.
He said the paper leaks were happening not because India lacked fast-track courts, but because “Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was completely incompetent.”
“He failed to build a safe and secure examination system,” Ranka said. “Today, the youth of this country demand one thing above all else: accountability.”
Describing the Centre’s proposal as insufficient, he added: “The solution proposed by the Prime Minister is like putting a band-aid on a broken bone. The problem is much deeper. Our examination system is corrupt from within. Unless the systemic failures are addressed, paper leaks will continue.”
Ranka also said that students “do not need to be promised lengthy legal procedures” and instead deserve “immediate justice and accountability.”
“This accountability must start with strict action against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,” he said.
What did Prime Minister Modi say?
In his first public comments on the NEET paper leak controversy that sparked nationwide protests, Prime Minister Modi said protecting the future of students is the government’s top priority.
“Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our youth!” Modi wrote on X.
“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.”
He added: “Anyone who tries to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”
The protests continue
The Prime Minister’s announcement comes as CJP-led protests continue in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak, with protesters demanding accountability from the Centre.
Over the past few days, the unrest has intensified, attracting thousands of students and supporters to Jantar Mantar and neighboring areas. The protests also sparked political exchanges between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition, while security was tightened in parts of the national capital.
The BJP has defended the government’s handling of the issue, accusing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other senior opposition leaders of politicizing the protests. However, the Justice and Development Party stressed that its basic demand remains unchanged: the resignation of the Federal Minister of Education and the accountability of those responsible for alleged irregularities in the examinations.
The CJP said it will continue its nationwide agitation until the Center accepts its key demands, including:
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
- $1 crore compensation to the families of students who died by suicide.
- Not persecuting peaceful demonstrators.
- Prosecute all police officials allegedly involved in atrocities against protesters.
