Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that the government will establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and severe punishment in paper leak cases, responding to widespread student demonstrations and mounting political scrutiny over alleged examination compromises.

Taking to X, Modi underscored that safeguarding the future of young citizens remains the administration's top concern.

“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” he posted, adding that he has instructed relevant authorities to execute all required measures for setting up the special judicial bodies.

The Prime Minister explained that this initiative forms part of a broader set of actions designed to protect students' interests, issuing a stern warning that perpetrators behind paper leaks will face uncompromising action.

The executive directive was issued as opposition groups and the satirical online organization Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified their protests regarding the controversy, pressing for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Criticizing the Prime Minister's remarks, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the government of failing to defend the nation's educational framework.

Writing on X, Gandhi alleged that the administration had permitted the education sector to decay and neglected to punish those involved in recurring paper leak incidents.

He reiterated opposition demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal, an official apology to students, and legal measures against individuals accused of assaulting student demonstrators.

A day prior, Gandhi asserted that over 150 exam paper leaks had occurred across India during the past decade without resulting in a single conviction.

Following the Prime Minister’s social media post, the Cockroach Janta Party reiterated its demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s immediate resignation.

Earlier in the week, Modi characterized paper leaks as a “grave sin” while addressing a gathering of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders continue to call for a formal statement from the Prime Minister inside Parliament regarding the examination irregularities and the subsequent police response against student protesters in New Delhi.

Although the government has agreed to participate in a parliamentary debate on the matter, it accused opposition parties of stalling discussions by making the Education Minister’s resignation a prerequisite.

Source: NDTV