In his second outreach to students protesting at Jantar Mantar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced the setting up of fast-track courts for bringing the perpetrators of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak to justice.Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Saurav Das, however, called it a “band-aid solution” and insisted on the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Hours later, the government removed Vineet Joshi as Secretary, Higher Education, giving the charge to Naresh Pal Gangwar.The chorus for Pradhan’s resignation grew with INDIA bloc MPs led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi paying homage at Gandhi Smriti to express solidarity with protesting students.“Nothing is more important than the welfare and the future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks,” the PM said. He said he had directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps in this regard.CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who drew flak from a section of Jantar Mantar protesters over his absence from the protest site, reappeared on the stage this evening and demanded that the PM “must sack Pradhan to save his own government”. “Modi ji, I once again request you for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Otherwise, the issue will not remain limited to Pradhan’s resignation alone. It will turn to your resignation as well,” said Dipke.Meanwhile, the government’s interlocutors for engagement with the protesters — ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh — reached out to the CJP leaders four times in 24 hours for talks. Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, said they were yet to receive a response. He said the meeting could be held at the residence or office of Nadda.Reminding the CJP leaders of the PM’s decision to set up fast-track courts, Singh said, “In the past 24 hours, there have been four offers to the student representatives for a dialogue. We are still awaiting a response. We do not stand on prestige. We never stand on prestige. So, please come forward so that we can find a way out in the interest of students, youth and the nation at large.”Meanwhile, all government ministers backed the PM’s move of setting up fast-track courts. Official sources pointed to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Practices) Act-2024 to say that it covered all central recruitment and entrance exams conducted by all departments of the government.“Since the National Testing Agency, which conducted the NEET-UG 2026 that was leaked, is under the government, the matter will be dealt with under the new law,” a source said, adding that the government would shortly write to states and their high courts to set up fast-track courts to hear cases registered under the Act.At present, the government is planning to set up fast-track courts under the jurisdiction of the MP, Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi high courts to handle four cases registered so far under the law. The Delhi High Court on Thursday notified a designated court to deal with criminal cases arising from paper leaks as well as the use of other unfair means in examinations.Home Minister Amit Shah today made his first remarks on the protests saying “the welfare of the youth and their bright future was both the highest priority and the resolve of the government”.Meanwhile, TK Anil Kumar has been appointed as Secretary, School Education. He was serving as Additional Secretary in the Rural Development Ministry. Vineet Joshi has been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, succeeding Vivek Bhardwaj, who retires on July 31, 2026.