Students and youth protesters who have been demonstrating at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for nearly a month told reporters on Thursday, 23 July that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to establish fast-track courts for exam paper leak cases falls far short of their demands. The protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have consistently called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan — a demand they say the Centre has so far refused to acknowledge.

What the Protesters Said

'Fast track courts are not enough at all. The Prime Minister is turning a deaf ear to our demands of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation,' one protester said. Another agitator added: 'The Prime Minister is not doing what is actually required; he should simply take the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and accept the government's accountability.'

A young woman at the site struck a conditional note: 'The Union government has made enough promises...we are sitting here for action, not for words. Until and unless there is action on the ground, we can't say if we will be satisfied or not.'

Anger Over Alleged Police Action on 20 July

Several protesters directed sharp criticism at the Centre over the handling of the 20 July 'Sansad Chalo' march. One youth alleged: 'The Centre unleashed cane charge on the protesters, women were harassed and Sonam Wangchuk ji was forcefully taken away.' Another protester questioned why PM Modi had not addressed the reported incidents of police action, calling the fast-track court directive 'just a formality' and adding, 'Nothing will happen with a social media post.'

The Centre has not publicly responded to the specific allegations of police conduct during the march. This comes amid a broader national debate over exam integrity following multiple paper leak incidents that have disrupted competitive examinations across India.

The Government's Position

PM Modi had stated that the government has decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those found guilty of paper leaks, and issued a warning to those 'trying to harm the future of youth.' The directive was widely seen as a response to mounting public pressure, but protesters at Jantar Mantar described it as insufficient and cosmetic.

Background and What's at Stake

The agitation, now in its fourth week, reflects deep frustration among India's student community over recurring examination irregularities. The CJP-led movement has drawn participants from across the country, many of whom say their career prospects have been derailed by compromised competitive exams. Notably, this protest has maintained a largely peaceful character — a point the demonstrators themselves emphasised, with one saying, 'We are educated and are therefore protesting peacefully with the hope that the Union government will listen to our demands.'

A former Modi supporter at the site said, 'I have been a big supporter of PM Modi but now I think the power is being misused by the ruling coalition. This directive is not enough.' Whether the government moves beyond the fast-track court announcement toward structural accountability measures — including any ministerial action — will determine the protest's next phase.