Modi orders fast-track courts for swift justice over exam paper leak scandals

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial and strict punishment of those involved in examination paper leak cases, amid mounting student protests and growing political pressure over repeated recruitment and entrance exam scandals.

In a message addressed to the country's youth on Thursday (July 23), Modi said protecting the future of young people remained the government's top priority.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," the prime minister wrote in a post on social media platform X.

He said authorities had been instructed to take all necessary measures to bring those responsible for paper leaks to justice quickly, warning that no one attempting to destroy the future of India's youth would be spared.

The announcement comes as opposition parties intensify protests inside and outside Parliament, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination irregularities.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi claimed on Wednesday that more than 150 examination paper leaks had occurred in India over the past decade, alleging that no one has yet been convicted in connection with those incidents.

Earlier this week, Modi described examination paper leaks as a "grave sin" during a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Opposition parties have also demanded that the prime minister make a statement in Parliament on both the paper leak controversy and allegations of police action against protesting students.

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) reiterated its demand for the education minister's resignation, stating on X that "Dharmendra Pradhan must resign."

The government has expressed its willingness to discuss the issue in Parliament but accused opposition parties of stalling proceedings by insisting on the minister's resignation as a precondition.

Source: NDTV