Fast-track courts cannot fast-track justice: Condemn the attempt to cover up the Failure of the Modi Government

SFI rejects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attempt to reduce the ongoing examination crisis to a matter of individual criminality by announcing fast-track courts for paper leak cases. While those responsible for leaks must undoubtedly be punished, this announcement is nothing but an attempt to divert attention from the real source of the crisis, the systematic dismantling of public education under the BJP-led government.

Paper leaks, examination irregularities, technical failures, and the repeated collapse of recruitment and entrance examinations are not isolated crimes. They are the inevitable outcome of a deeply flawed education policy that has centralized, commercialized, and weakened the public education system. By focusing only on prosecuting those directly involved in individual leaks, the Prime Minister seeks to shield the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and the government from political accountability.

The crisis is systemic. It cannot be resolved merely through punitive measures against a few individuals while the institutions and policies responsible for creating these conditions remain untouched. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has repeatedly failed to conduct fair, transparent, and credible examinations, yet the Union Government continues to protect it instead of accepting responsibility.

The root of this crisis lies in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), which has centralized examinations, intensified privatization, undermined public institutions, and reduced education to a market-driven exercise. The repeated failures of the NTA and the erosion of trust in the examination system are direct consequences of this model.

The responsibility therefore does not rest only with those who execute paper leaks. It lies squarely with the Modi government that has presided over the destruction of India's public education system, and with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is directly accountable for the repeated failures under his ministry.

SFI reiterates that students across the country are not demanding symbolic announcements or damage control. They are demanding political accountability and structural change.

SFI demands:

• Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the establishment of a transparent, accountable public examination mechanism.
• Immediate withdrawal of the National Education Policy (NEP), which has accelerated the commercialization and centralization of education.
• A comprehensive overhaul of the examination system to guarantee fairness, transparency, and equal access for all students.

Fast-track courts cannot fast-track justice while those responsible for creating this crisis continue to remain in office. The struggle for an equitable, democratic, and accessible education system will continue until accountability is ensured at the highest levels. We will continue to organise students in large numbers across the country until our demands are met.

Released by
Adarsh M. Saji (President, SFI)
Srijan Bhattacharyya (General Secretary, SFI)