The announcement came as demonstrations expanded across New Delhi, where protesters have been demanding accountability over examination failures and calling for major reforms in the testing system. Security forces intensified action earlier this week as thousands of demonstrators gathered near key government areas.
For three consecutive days, protesters have occupied Parliament Street, with many staying overnight on the major road connecting Parliament House with Connaught Place, one of the capital’s central commercial areas.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!” Modi wrote on X on Thursday.
“We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he added.
The protests have been organised under the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical online movement formed in May that has developed into a national campaign demanding structural reforms in examination procedures and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking to Indian news agency ANI from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, CJP founding president Abhijeet Dipke alleged that outside groups were attempting to create disturbances and damage the credibility of the movement.
“People are being sent from outside to deliberately disrupt the protest,” Dipke told ANI. “We have been sitting here for a month. No such incident has happened. Goons are being sent from outside to deliberately incite people.”
Dipke later posted on X, claiming that Modi appeared “ready to shut down all of Delhi, but not sack Dharmendra Pradhan”.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka rejected the government’s fast-track court proposal, stating that the measure did not address the deeper problems behind repeated examination leaks.
“The announcement of fast-track courts is not a real solution. It is merely a distraction,” Ranka said in a statement at Jantar Mantar. “Paper leaks are not happening because India lacked fast-track courts. They are happening because Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been completely incompetent.”
The CJP has demanded the immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, withdrawal of cases filed against peaceful protesters, and financial assistance of 10 million rupees for each family of at least 12 students who have died by suicide following recent examination cancellations.
Reporting from New Delhi, Al Jazeera correspondent Neeha Poonia said the movement had gained significant momentum after a major march towards Parliament was called on Monday.
“On Monday, we saw this group call for a march to Parliament, and we saw unprecedented scenes in the national capital of New Delhi, tens of thousands of people showed up,” Poonia reported.
She added that 16 metro stations in and around the protest area were closed by authorities on Thursday. Protesters said the police action during Monday’s march had strengthened their determination to continue the demonstration rather than withdraw.
On Monday, protesters attempting to march towards Parliament faced police action, including tear gas deployment and baton use. Smaller demonstrations were later reported in major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Patna.
The rapid growth of the Cockroach Janta Party movement reflects increasing frustration among young Indians over unemployment concerns and repeated examination irregularities. The protests have also created an opportunity for opposition leaders to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, placing renewed focus on examination security, youth aspirations and government accountability.
About The Author
Comment List