Modi promises fast-track courts as Indian student protests intensify
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to set up fast-track courts to punish those behind exam paper leaks, as student protests demanding the education minister's resignation continue across the country.
Late on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised stern action against perpetrators of examination paper leaks that have sparked the largest protest movement against his government in its third term. In a phone recording addressed to students, Modi pledged to establish fast-track courts to swiftly punish those involved. This was his first spoken response to the youth-led protests that have exploded across the country, with the epicenter in New Delhi.
The protests are organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical online movement formed in May that has evolved into a national platform demanding structural education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a series of exam paper leaks. The main protest site is Jantar Mantar, a historic astronomical observatory in New Delhi. Demonstrators have also occupied parts of Parliament Street since Monday. On Monday, police used tear gas and baton-charged demonstrators as they tried to march to parliament. Rights groups Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the government for excessive force and suspension of mobile internet services.
The CJP's demands include Pradhan's immediate resignation, dropping cases against peaceful protesters, and financial assistance of 10 million rupees ($104,000) for each family of more than 20 students who died by suicide following recent exam cancellations.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, also demanding Pradhan's resignation. He broke his fast after negotiations with the government, which assured that cases against peaceful protesters would not be registered and that compensation for suicide victims would be considered. Subsequently, two senior ministers and CJP leaders held talks, raising hopes for a breakthrough. However, a CJP spokesperson dismissed Modi's fast-track court proposal as a distraction, arguing that the root cause is ministerial incompetence. The CJP stated that the government has until Saturday afternoon to respond to their demand for Pradhan's resignation.
