Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that fast-track courts will be established to ensure the speedy trial of those involved in examination paper leak cases, amid continuing nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the government has directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to set up fast-track courts. Emphasising the importance of protecting students’ interests, Modi said nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the country’s youth and asserted that the new courts would ensure swift and stringent punishment for those responsible for paper leaks.
He added that the initiative forms part of a broader effort to safeguard the future of students and warned that those attempting to jeopardise their prospects would not be spared.
The announcement comes as education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his indefinite hunger strike, which began on June 28, demanding accountability in the examination system, reforms in the education sector and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
On Tuesday, Wangchuk said he was prepared to end his fast if the Centre provided an unequivocal assurance that students and young people who participated in the protests would not face punitive or retaliatory action.
In a letter addressed to Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk said the ministers had assured him that the government would positively consider two other key demands: adequate compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy, and a meaningful discussion in Parliament on examination reforms, including consideration of the education minister’s resignation.
Stating that protesters had only sought a fair and accountable education system, Wangchuk requested a clear assurance that no legal action would be taken against participants in the movement. He said he would end his hunger strike if such a commitment was made, but would continue the protest indefinitely in its absence.
Sharing the letter on X, Wangchuk said he would also appeal to students engaged in peaceful demonstrations to suspend their protests and begin dialogue with the Centre if the assurance was provided.
Referring to the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, he maintained that the protest had remained peaceful despite what he described as excessive police action and argued that participants should not face legal consequences for exercising their democratic rights.
Wangchuk also revealed that around 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had written to him, while several political leaders had personally urged him to end his fast.
Earlier, a delegation of Opposition MPs, including Congress MP Vivek Tankha, CPI(M) MP John Brittas and Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose, met Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital and appealed to him to call off his hunger strike. In a joint letter, they assured him that examination reforms and accountability in the education sector would be raised in Parliament and pledged to oppose any coercive action against students participating in peaceful protests.
Wangchuk is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital after being shifted from Safdarjung Hospital following directions from the Delhi High Court.
