Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would forgive students who hurled expletives at him during mass protests triggered by a leak of national exam papers that forced retests for about 2 million pupils. He argued that punishment and repeated court proceedings would not fix the underlying problems. The demonstrations ended after the education minister resigned and the government accepted demands including exam reforms and withdrawal of police cases. Parliament will also consider a bill imposing tougher penalties for future exam paper leaks.
Modi Offers Forgiveness to Student Protesters After Exam Leak Forces Retests
Supporters of India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrate after India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following days of protests demanding his resignation over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, in New Delhi, India, July 25, 2026. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
MUMBAI, Aug 1 (Reuters) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is prepared to forgive students who hurled expletives at him during mass demonstrations last month, arguing that punishment and repeated court appearances will not resolve the underlying dispute.
The protests — the most serious political crisis of Modi's third term — peaked in July after a leak of national exam papers forced a retest for roughly 2 million students, igniting widespread anger over limited opportunities for young Indians.
Authorities filed cases against hundreds of demonstrators after clashes with security forces and episodes in which protesters shouted abusive slogans directed at the prime minister. Tensions flared in several parts of the country, including New Delhi, where marchers attempting to reach parliament were met with tear gas and baton charges.
Supporters of India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrate after India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following days of protests demanding his resignation over National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, in New Delhi, India, July 25, 2026. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
"These are misled children. Showing them the right path is our duty. Punishing them, making them run around courts, or tormenting them in society will not change the situation," Modi said in a video posted on social media. "I want to forgive them. I hope society also accepts this stance of mine."
The self-styled Cockroach Janta Party, which led much of the movement, said on Monday that "hundreds" of students had been arrested in various states, a development it described as contradicting the government's earlier commitment to drop police cases against protesters.
Resolution and Legislative Response
Student demonstrators wound down weeks of protests after the education minister resigned and the government accepted the demonstrators' main demands, which included reforming the exam system and withdrawing police cases. In parallel, the Modi administration has proposed a bill to tighten the law governing public examinations, seeking longer prison terms and higher fines for those involved in exam paper leaks.
The episode underscores growing frustration among India's youth over access to opportunities and has prompted both political concessions and a tougher legislative posture aimed at preventing future leaks.
(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Tom Hogue)
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