New Delhi, July 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the Centre will introduce legislation providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment in paper leak cases, saying the government was determined to protect the future of millions of students and ensure that such incidents are dealt with swiftly.
In a video message posted on social media amid the ongoing nationwide agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, the Prime Minister said the proposed legislation would be finalised by the Union Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament next week.
"With provisions for fast-track courts and stringent punishment, several aspects of the proposed law will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow. After incorporating the suggestions of my Cabinet colleagues, it will be given its final shape. Parliament begins its second week on Monday, and we will make every effort to get the Bill passed at the earliest," Modi said.
Calling paper leaks a matter of grave concern, the Prime Minister said the issue had caused immense pain to lakhs of students and their parents.
"I know that paper leaks are not a minor issue. They are extremely distressing for lakhs of students and their families," he said.
Modi said the government had already taken several steps over the past two-and-a-half months, with those responsible for the paper leaks being arrested and sent to jail.
"Our foremost responsibility was to ensure that students did not lose an academic year. It was essential to conduct the examinations immediately. The government used its full strength to organise examinations for nearly 2.2 million candidates in the shortest possible time. The results were declared on July 19, and we are now seeing stories of successful students from across the country," he said.
The Prime Minister added that the government was not satisfied with merely completing the examinations and was committed to putting in place a stronger legal framework to prevent future leaks.
His announcement comes after a 35-day-long student-led protest at Jantar Mantar, spearheaded by the Kokro Janata Party (CJP), demanding accountability over repeated examination irregularities and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Earlier this week, social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances regarding students' concerns and the release of detained protesters.
However, the CJP has made it clear that while it welcomes the government's move to introduce tougher anti-paper leak legislation, its agitation will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, holding him politically accountable for the examination crisis.
The announcement marks the first major legislative response by the Centre since the prolonged protests began, with the proposed Bill expected to be introduced during the second week of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Sonam Wangchuk states:
"I have finally ended my 26-day fast in the presence of Union Ministers Shri J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh.
Earlier, 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either personally visited me or signed letters urging me to end my fast. My decision comes after prolonged negotiations on various conditions and in view of the possibility of violence in the country. I will soon share a detailed video explaining the assurances received and the conditions that led me to conclude my fast."
"I sincerely appeal to all my supporters, students and citizens across the country to remain peaceful and vigilant. Please do not allow violence of any kind to take place anywhere in the name of this movement. Our struggle has always been based on truth, non-violence and democratic values, and it must continue in the same spirit.
"The fast has ended, but the journey towards accountability and meaningful reforms will continue."
