Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured tough reforms and harshest punishment for those responsible in the NEET paper leak case, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju quoted the PM as saying following the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) first 'Mangal Milan' meeting on Tuesday.

Addressing the meeting, PM Modi took a firm stance on the paper leak issue and clarified the government's commitment. 

"On the NEET examination, the Prime Minister said that the government acted immediately after reports of the paper leak surfaced, and 13 people were arrested and sent to jail. At the same time, to ensure that students' future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay,” Kiren Rijiju said.

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The Prime Minister also appealed to all political parties to avoid any politicisation of this highly sensitive issue concerning the future of youth and to work together to resolve it.

“The Prime Minister also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future. Those found involved in the paper leak racket have been arrested and jailed. He appealed that they should be given the strictest possible punishment, with the support of the country's top lawyers, so that those involved in such a grave offence face exemplary action and such incidents do not recur,” Rijiju further quoted PM as saying.

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CJP Protests, Demands Education Minister's Resignation

The remarks came after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a Gen-Z outfit began as a satirical movement and led its first 'Chalo Sansad' march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on Monday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak in May this year. The march coincided with the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session and drew thousands of protesters to the streets.

Protesters carrying flags, some dressed as cockroaches, attempted to march towards Parliament as police used tear gas and baton charges to stop them. Each time they were pushed back, they regrouped and tried to move forward again.

The large turnout came two days after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site by the Delhi Police. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 20 days.