New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a poetic swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nationwide outrage over recurring exam paper leaks, announcing plans to establish fast-track courts.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP quoted Pakistani Urdu poet Munir Niazi’s couplet, “Hamesha der kar deta hoon main har kaam karne mein, Zaroori baat kehni ho, koi vaada nibhana ho,” to criticise the Centre for reacting too late to the widespread student anger triggered by NEET-UG paper leak.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister promised “swift and stringent punishment” for culprits involved in paper leak networks, assuring that protecting the future and welfare of the country’s youth remains his government’s top priority. PM Modi added that he directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. “This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he posted on X in his first direct comments tied to major protests by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the paper leak.
This came as protests led by the CJP at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar crossed the one-month mark, while activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike entered its 26th day. The CJP reiterated its demand for the resignation Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following the PM’s outreach, which also drew a sharp rebuttal from Opposition leaders, who criticised the timing and adequacy of the government’s response.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a direct attack on X, asserting that Prime Minister Modi himself had “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,” Gandhi said on X.
Reaffirming the core demands of the ongoing student movement, the Congress leader called for the immediate removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an official apology to affected students, and strict accountability for police personnel involved in recent crackdowns against protesters.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia also launched a scathing attack on PM Modi, asserting that the new fast-track courts are merely intended to target “small-time crooks” while shielding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the scope of the investigation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed the protesters’ main demand for Dharmendra’s resignation. On X, she argued that resigning over institutional failure is basic accountability. She noted that after taking responsibility, the government must hear out students and engage India’s best minds to rework the national exam system.
