Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to establish fast-track courts to expedite the prosecution of officials accused of leaking examination papers, as protests led by a youth movement continue to challenge his government. Modi’s comments, made in his first public response to the demonstrations, emphasized the importance of the youth’s welfare and warned that those undermining their future would face consequences.
The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)—a name derived from a recent remark by India’s top judge referring to unemployed youths as “cockroaches”—have drawn an estimated 50,000 demonstrators to Delhi. Authorities had denied permission for a march near the parliament, leading to clashes between protesters and police, with baton charges and teargas deployed. Despite the intense heat, more than 1,000 protesters remained camped at the movement’s Jantar Mantar site in central Delhi by Wednesday, with participants coming from various parts of the country.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das dismissed Modi’s offer of fast-track courts as insufficient, calling it a “Band-Aid” measure that fails to deliver real accountability. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and comprehensive reforms to India’s education system. Opposition politicians have echoed these calls, questioning why Pradhan remains in office despite widespread criticism.
Renuka Chowdhury, a Congress party MP, questioned Modi’s reluctance to remove Pradhan, describing it as a failure to prioritize national harmony and order. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his critique, demanding an apology from Modi for neglecting to provide a fair education system. Gandhi cited 152 incidents of exam paper leaks across India over the past decade that have not resulted in any convictions, accusing unidentified actors of damaging the country’s education sector and students’ futures.
The government, however, continues to reject demands for Pradhan’s resignation. Health Minister JP Nadda accused Gandhi of politicizing the protests to gain leverage rather than genuinely addressing educational issues. A meeting between CJP representatives and Nadda—the first in over two months—ended without progress. The CJP’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, insisted that future discussions with the government must take place publicly at the protest site.
Support for the CJP movement has spread beyond Delhi, with sustained demonstrations in Mumbai and solidarity events in Chennai, Indore, Hyderabad, and Patiala. Protesters organizing at Jantar Mantar have mobilized assistance from sympathetic supporters, including donations of food and water, and have even provided meals to police officers on duty.
Political analysts suggest Modi’s firm stance may be influenced by his recent loss of the parliamentary majority, with opposition figures like Anish Gawande arguing that the prime minister views withdrawal as a sign of weakness. The outcome of the ongoing standoff remains uncertain as young protesters maintain pressure for accountability and reform.