Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly addressed a series of exam paper leaks that have triggered nationwide youth-led protests, vowing stringent punishment for those responsible. In his remarks, made on social media platform X, Modi wrote: 'Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.' He also stated that action had been taken to hold those accountable, with reports that 13 people have been arrested in connection with the leaks.
The demonstrations, referred to as the 'Cockroach' protests, were sparked by the serial leaks of exam papers, which forced the cancellation of the country's undergraduate medical exam affecting around 2.2 million students. Thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demonstrated in New Delhi, with the movement spreading to other cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. The protests have become one of the biggest challenges to Modi since his re-election for a third term in 2024.
Modi, in a rare video address on Friday night, did not directly comment on the student protests but repeatedly thanked the nation's youth. He announced that those involved in the leaks would face speedy trials and that fast-track courts would be established. However, he refused to sack Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a demand made by protesters. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has called on Modi to step down.
The protests have been marked by clashes with police. In New Delhi, fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel, with metro services partly closed. Activists accused police of exercising 'absolute brutality' against peaceful protesters. Student activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike over the leaks. The CJP protest has been described as India's biggest student movement in years.
According to sources, representatives of Modi have agreed to compensate families affected by a major exam leak. Nationwide protests were prepared by students on Friday, with protesters occupying streets in New Delhi.
The exam leaks and subsequent protests represent a significant challenge to Modi's administration, which is now in its third term. The government's response, including arrests and promises of fast-track courts, aims to quell the unrest, but the protesters' core demand—the resignation of the education minister—remains unaddressed.