Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of fast track courts to prosecute those responsible for examination paper leaks, his first public response to weeks of nationwide protests, but demonstrators have rejected the proposal and continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Modi said the government would establish special fast track courts to ensure “swift and stringent punishment” for those involved in examination fraud, describing the protection of students’ interests as a national priority. His announcement came after days of youth led demonstrations over leaked examination papers that affected about two million students, triggering what analysts describe as the biggest youth challenge to his government since he took office in 2014.
The protests intensified after demonstrators clashed with police in New Delhi late on Wednesday, July 22, with officers using tear gas and batons to disperse crowds near the Jantar Mantar protest site. Opposition parties have backed the protesters and disrupted proceedings in Parliament for a fourth consecutive day, accusing the government of failing to address widespread corruption in the country’s examination system.
Protest organisers, including members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, dismissed Modi’s announcement as inadequate, insisting that Dharmendra Pradhan must resign before any negotiations can take place. They argue that repeated examination paper leaks have destroyed public confidence in India’s education system and denied millions of young people a fair opportunity to compete for university places and government jobs.
The controversy centres on leaks involving major entrance examinations, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), one of India’s most competitive medical school entrance exams. Protesters say the scandal has devastated students’ futures, with several reported suicides linked to the examination crisis, and are demanding sweeping reforms to prevent future leaks.
The government has defended its response, saying investigations are ongoing and that those responsible will face prosecution through the proposed fast track courts. However, demonstrators have vowed to continue protests until concrete action is taken, including ministerial accountability and comprehensive reforms of India’s examination system.
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