Nothing more important than youth: PM announces fast-track courts for paper leaks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a big message to the youth and students amid raging protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a showdown in Parliament.

In Short

• PM says courts will ensure punishment for those involved in paper leaks
• Comes day after Rahul Gandhi alleged zero convictions in paper leak cases
• PM's remarks seen as outreach to youth amid raging protests in Delhi

In a big message to the youth amid the protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the government would set up fast-track courts to ensure "swift" and "stringent punishment" for those involved in exam paper leaks. It invited a swift counter from Rahul Gandhi, who singled out the Prime Minister for harming the future of the youth the most.

Significantly, PM Modi's announcement comes a day after Rahul alleged that there have been zero convictions in the "152 paper leak" cases over the last 10 years.

With the government facing massive backlash over the crackdown on student protesters during their march to Parliament on July 20, PM Modi emphasised that protecting the interests of students remained a top priority. In the same breath, the Prime Minister warned of strict action against anyone attempting to jeopardise the future of the youth.

"We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard," PM Modi tweeted.

He further highlighted that setting up fast-track courts was just a part of a series of steps taken by the government to tackle the menace of paper leaks.

That the message was conveyed by the Prime Minister himself suggests a government attempt to reach out to the students and pacify their anger.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth... Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," PM Modi stressed.

The Prime Minister also raised the issue during the NDA parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, calling the NEET-UG paper leak a "ghor paap (grave sin)". He also highlighted how the government moved in swiftly to arrest those involved in the leak. So far, 13 people have been arrested.

RAHUL GANDHI'S SWIFT COUNTER TO PM MODI

Within minutes, Rahul Gandhi, who led an unprecedented flash protest outside the Prime Minister's residence on July 21 before being detained, countered him.

"You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it," Rahul tweeted.

He also reiterated the demands of the protesters, with the foremost being the sacking of the Education Minister.

"The students' demands are clear: sack Dharmendra Pradhan. Apologise to the students. Take action against those who assaulted them," the Leader of the Opposition said.

A day before, Rahul said India's education system was "rigged", claiming there have been "152 paper leaks" over the past decade with "zero convictions". "That is one paper leak per month... It has destroyed India's education system, which was our biggest asset," Rahul underscored.

The Prime Minister's announcement comes amid raging student protests in Delhi over paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment exams and a showdown in Parliament demanding Pradhan's resignation.

The brutal crackdown on protesters on July 20, who were tear-gassed and baton-charged, has only added to the outrage. The impact was visible at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party's protest has gained added momentum.

While the government has rejected any action against Pradhan, it has agreed to a discussion in Parliament over the NEET paper leak issue and education reforms.

Will the Prime Minister's message pacify the protesters? Only time will tell.

- Ends