Amid escalating protests by students in the national capital and a political confrontation in Parliament over recurring exam paper leaks and various other irregularities in the country’s education system, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the Union Government shall establish fast-track courts to ramp up the trial of paper leak cases.
The announcement comes as the PM’s first direct public message on the issue, and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, as well as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were quick to criticise him.
PM Modi
Both Gandhi and the CJP renewed their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
PM promises swift justice for students
In a post on his official ‘X’ handle, PM Modi underlined the government’s commitment to shielding the interests of students, saying the future and welfare of the country’s youth remained paramount.
His post read, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” announcing the decision to set up fast-track courts to ensure ‘swift and stringent’ punishment for the ones involved in exam paper leaks.
His post further read that the move formed part of a broader series of measures initiated by the government to tackle the menace and bring the paper leak accused to justice. “Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” a statement issued by him read.
Rahul Gandhi mounts counterattack
Within minutes of PM Modi’s announcement, Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi accused the PM of failing to protect the country’s education system and alleged that the Centre had allowed widespread irregularities to persist.
In his ‘X’ post, Gandhi claimed that the PM himself had allowed a major blow to students’ futures by permitting what he termed ‘capture and destruction’ of the education system while shielding those responsible.
He then echoed the Opposition’s earlier demands, calling for the dismissal of Education Minister Pradhan, an apology to students and action against those allegedly responsible for the police crackdown on protesting students in Delhi.
On Wednesday, Gandhi had claimed that more than 150 exam paper leaks had unfolded across the country over the past decade without a single conviction.
CJP renews demand for Minister Pradhan’s resignation
Meanwhile, the CJP, which has been spearheading student protests in the national capital, also rejected the government’s announcement as insufficient and reiterated its demand for Minister Pradhan’s resignation.
The satirical platform also took to ‘X’ and said the Education Minister must step down, maintaining that ministerial accountability was essential to restore students’ confidence in the examination system.
Notably, earlier in the week, PM Modi had termed exam paper leaks a ‘ghor paap (grave sin),’ while addressing an NDA meeting, signalling the government’s intent to deal firmly with the issue.
Parliament deadlock continues
The paper leak row has also paralysed proceedings in the Parliament, as Opposition Parties are insisting that the PM make a statement in both Houses on the issue and address allegations surrounding the police action against student protestors in Delhi.
The Opposition has made the resignation of Minister Pradhan a precondition for any discussion on the matter. On the other hand, the Centre has agreed to hold a debate and has accused the Opposition of stalling Parliamentary proceedings by insisting on the minister’s resignation before discussions can begin.