Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government will establish fast-track courts to ensure swift prosecution of those responsible for examination paper leaks, marking his first public response to a nationwide youth protest movement that has shaken his administration. However, the announcement has done little to appease protesters, who continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Prime Minister said the welfare and future of India’s youth remain the government’s highest priority and vowed that those involved in compromising examinations would face stringent punishment through expedited judicial proceedings. He added that authorities have been instructed to take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of students.
The protests stem from the leak of major examination papers, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which affected nearly two million students and sparked widespread anger across the country. The controversy has intensified concerns over the integrity of India’s examination system and the future of millions of aspirants preparing for competitive exams.
Despite the government’s assurance of fast-track courts, protest leaders rejected the proposal, insisting that accountability must begin with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrators argue that judicial reforms alone cannot address repeated failures in preventing paper leaks.
Tensions escalated in New Delhi after thousands of protesters gathered near Parliament, leading to clashes with police. Security personnel used tear gas and batons to disperse sections of the crowd, while several metro stations in the capital were temporarily closed to maintain law and order. The demonstrations have since spread to multiple cities, making them one of the largest youth-led protests during Modi’s tenure as prime minister.
The opposition has rallied behind the protesters, disrupting proceedings in Parliament and accusing the government of failing to protect students from recurring examination scandals. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures have renewed calls for the education minister’s resignation, arguing that stronger political accountability is needed alongside legal action.
Meanwhile, the government has indicated its willingness to engage with protest representatives while continuing investigations into the paper leak cases. However, protest organizers have maintained that demonstrations will continue until their core demands, including ministerial accountability and comprehensive examination reforms, are addressed.
The ongoing unrest presents one of the most significant political challenges of Prime Minister Modi’s third term, highlighting growing frustration among young Indians over examination integrity, unemployment, and governance. Whether the government’s promise of fast-track courts will ease public anger remains uncertain as protests continue across the country.
