New Delhi, 23 July– Rejecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of action against paper leaks, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke today said suggested action did not address the issue of accountability while accusing the government of planting goons in the crowd to defame the protesters.
Modi, in a post on X on Thursday morning, announced setting up of fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks, and said, “nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth”.
Meanwhile, the political battle over alleged exam paper leaks intensified after the Prime Minister announced fast-track courts to deal with offenders, the CJP blamed the Centre of ignoring the root causes of the problem as the Opposition renewed its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s first public remarks on the issue, CJP representative Ashutosh Ranka alleged that paper leaks would continue unless accountability was fixed within the system.
“The Prime Minister is talking about what punishment should be given after a paper leak occurs, but why is there no discussion on why paper leaks are happening in the first place?” Ranka told media.
He alleged that corruption and incompetence within the education system had allowed paper leaks to become an “organised mafia” and claimed the problem would persist as long as those responsible remained in office, including the Education Minister.
“Paper leaks are happening because the system–from top to bottom–is filled with incompetent and corrupt individuals, with the Education Minister at the very top. These people operate paper leaks like an organised mafia; they receive money, make money, and run their governments off it. This is an organised syndicate. As long as you do not bring accountability to the system–a system in which people like Dharmendra Pradhan are involved–paper leaks are not going to stop. You are talking about applying a bandage after inflicting a wound, but the real question is: why is the wound being inflicted in the first place?” said Ranka.
“Perhaps his foreign visits are over and he has returned to India, which is a good thing,” he took a dig at the Prime Minister.
“But what punishment are you imposing after the paper leak has already taken place? That is not going to solve the problem of paper leaks. The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. That question must be answered,” he said.
“Applying ointment after an injury is one thing, but the real fight is about preventing the injury from happening in the first place. The injury keeps happening because the people running the system are neither accountable nor competent. Therefore, these measures are not sufficient by any means,” he said.
Earlier, in a post on X, the Prime Minister said protecting the future of young people remained the government’s priority.
“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… Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he wrote.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Prime Minister’s remarks, accusing the government of shielding those responsible for failures in the education system.
In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that the Centre had “allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction” of the education system and reiterated the Opposition’s demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal as Union Education Minister, along with an apology to students.
“You protected every person responsible” Gandhi hit back PM Modi over NEET leaks.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also attacked the Prime Minister, alleging he had avoided a direct discussion in Parliament and was responding through social media instead.
The issue has continued to disrupt proceedings during the Monsoon Session, with further confrontations between the government and the Opposition expected.
Earlier, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanhjali Angmo, also said there was a concerted campaign to vilify the protesters.
“As an educator, I find it deeply painful to watch the image of our students being tarnished on media,” she wrote on X.
“The students’ protest is taking place peacefully at Jantar Mantar. If there are reports of violence elsewhere in Delhi, please do not rush to attribute them to this movement without evidence. Those who genuinely know these young people have seen their extraordinary patience, discipline and restraint.
“I often wonder: what kind of system is so quick to distrust its own students? Why is it easier to question their intentions than to hear their concerns?
“Our children deserve to be protected, not portrayed as villains,” she wrote. “Their voices deserve to be heard, not drowned out by narratives that serve vested interests.”
Veteran Journalist and Political Commentator
