PM announces fast track courts; CJP demands Pradhan's resignation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the Centre will set up fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial of those accused in the alleged NEET paper leak cases, saying those who jeopardise the future of India's youth will face strict punishment.
In a post on X, Modi said the government had decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure "swift and stringent punishment" for those involved in paper leaks."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. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students," the Prime Minister said.He added that those attempting to harm the future of the country's youth "will not be spared."

Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our 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…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026

The announcement comes amid an ongoing student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak. Earlier, Modi had described the paper leak menace as a "ghor paap" (grave sin) and vowed strict action against those responsible for "playing with the future of youth."
Reacting to the Prime Minister's announcement, the CJP demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.In a post on X, the CJP said, "Dharmendra Pradhan must resign."

शिक्षा मंत्री जी इस्तीफा दो!

जंतर मंतर ???? pic.twitter.com/p5BP2cbrks

— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 23, 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the Centre over the issue, alleging that the government had failed to protect the interests of students."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," Gandhi said in a post on X, accusing the government of jeopardising students' futures.

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.

The students’ demands are clear:
1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. Apologise to… https://t.co/0MK4wPMNiK

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026

Meanwhile, DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin renewed his demand for the abolition of NEET, arguing that the examination had failed to achieve its stated objectives of reducing students' burden, curbing commercialisation and improving educational standards.In a post on X, Stalin said NEET had merely shifted learning from schools to coaching centres and asserted that the problem with the examination was "structural, not merely procedural."

NEET was introduced with three principal promises: (1) reduce the burden, (2) eliminate commercialisation, and (3) improve standards.

On every one of these counts, #NEET has failed. It has merely shifted the centre of learning from schools to coaching centres.

The problem with… pic.twitter.com/WwSQBloykM

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 23, 2026

Calling the ongoing student protests a "wake-up call" for the Union government, he urged the Centre to trust the states and abolish NEET.