PM Modi Urges Foolproof Exams, Says Youth Future Above Politics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a 'foolproof system' to prevent future exam paper leaks and stressed that the future of the youth should be treated as a national priority, not a matter for partisan politics. His remarks came during a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary party, and were his first since police cracked down on protesters marching towards Parliament to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Modi promised the 'strictest possible punishment' for those responsible for the NEET-UG question paper leak, saying, 'Each one of them has to be punished.' Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the government acted immediately after the leak was reported, with 13 people arrested and sent to jail. A re-examination was conducted promptly, and results were declared without delay.
According to Rijiju, Modi appealed for bipartisan cooperation to prevent future leaks, urging all states and the Centre to work together. 'This is a matter of the nation, not partisan politics since it concerns the future of the youth,' Rijiju said, paraphrasing the Prime Minister. Modi also encouraged NDA MPs to reach out to students, warning that it is 'easy to misguide them, difficult to show them the right path.'
In a broader context, Modi praised the successful rocket launch by Skyroot Aerospace as an example of young entrepreneurs' brilliance. He also took an indirect swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that some individuals fail to contribute meaningfully even at age 56, unlike the young achievers.
On Monday, police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party who were marching towards Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session. Several protesters were injured. On Tuesday, Union Health Minister J P Nadda visited Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital to meet some of the injured. He reported that one protester, Sheikh Irshad, was satisfied with the treatment provided.
