Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, July 23, broke his silence on the students’ protest in New Delhi over examination paper leaks, announcing that his government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure “swift and stringent punishment” for those involved in irregularities.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” the Prime Minister said, in a post on X, as crowds continued to grow at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
PM Modi vowed that those who try to harm the future of the country’s youth would not be spared. He said he has directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps to establish the fast-track courts, describing the move as a continuation of the government’s series of steps to safeguard the interests of students.
However, the Prime Minister’s post made no mention of Pradhan’s resignation. He also did not use the word NEET, nor did he refer to students who died by suicide following the paper leaks. The PM’s statement was also silent on the Parliament march of July 20, during which several videos showed police baton-charging protesters and chasing and abusing them. He made no reference to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) or activist Sonam Wangchuk in his post.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was initially launched by CJP, a satirical platform formed online after India’s Chief Justice, Surya Kant, referred to unemployed youths in the country as “cockroaches” while hearing a case. Though he later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context, the comment gave the CJP movement traction, prompting its members to take their campaign offline.
Also Read:Ram Temple Trust Postpones Key Appointments Until September
CJP members subsequently formed a group and began their protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Days later, activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protesters and began a hunger strike at the site.
The protest has now been running for over a month, with demonstrators continuing to demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and greater accountability in the country’s education system.