Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of setting up fast-track courts for cases related to examination paper leaks, saying similar measures should first be applied to leaders facing corruption allegations who later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sibal, a senior advocate and Independent Rajya Sabha MP, questioned the government’s priorities and alleged that several politicians accused of corruption had been welcomed into the BJP despite earlier criticism from the ruling party. He said the government should clarify why investigations against such leaders were not progressing.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House complex, Sibal said, “They should first set up fast-track courts for those within their own party.” He alleged that several individuals who had faced serious corruption charges were later inducted into the BJP after being targeted by the party during political campaigns. The former Union minister also questioned the role of central agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in cases involving political leaders. He asked why investigations that were previously underway had allegedly slowed down or stopped after some accused leaders joined the BJP.

“Why are fast-track proceedings not being initiated against them? Why is the CBI not investigating them? And why were the investigations that were already underway stopped? They should answer these questions first,” Sibal said. His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that fast-track courts would be established to ensure strict action against those involved in paper leaks and examination-related irregularities. The announcement was made amid protests by students and opposition parties demanding accountability over alleged lapses in competitive examinations.

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Sibal also accused the BJP of focusing on issues unrelated to education and governance, claiming that the party’s main political narrative centred around religious polarisation. He alleged that the ruling party was more focused on retaining power than addressing concerns related to the education system. “The BJP only has one issue — Hindu-Muslim — and they are not bothered about education,” Sibal said, adding that public sentiment was shifting against the government. The BJP has repeatedly maintained that it follows a policy of taking action against corruption and has defended its decisions regarding political alliances and party membership. Leaders inducted into the party after leaving opposition groups have often faced criticism from rivals, who accuse the BJP of adopting a selective approach towards corruption allegations.

Sibal’s comments add to the growing political debate over the government’s response to student protests and allegations of irregularities in national-level examinations. Opposition parties have demanded accountability from the Centre, including action against those responsible for alleged paper leaks. The issue has become a major point of confrontation between the government and opposition parties, with both sides trading accusations over education reforms, examination security and political accountability. As protests continue, the debate over fast-track justice and investigation into alleged irregularities remains at the centre of political discussions in Parliament.

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