Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, Ending Protests by Youth Activists Over Exam Paper Leak
NEW DELHI: India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, marking a significant victory for youth protesters who had mobilized against examination paper leaks. The protests had escalated into a serious challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Celebrations erupted at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the focal point of the protests, where thousands of young demonstrators chanted victory slogans and danced. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which led the demonstrations, announced the conclusion of its protests following an agreement that the government would not take action against any protesters.
“We have done it,” stated Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of CJP, as cheers filled the air.
The protests, among the largest in recent years, had garnered significant attention, especially as opposition politicians expressed solidarity with the youth and disrupted parliamentary proceedings. The unprecedented scale of the protests and the police’s use of tear gas to control crowds had intensified public anger, although authorities defended their actions as necessary for maintaining law and order.
Pradhan announced his resignation via a post on X, stating, “Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation… I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister.” He added, “I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”
The protests had been sparked by the leak of the medical college entrance test paper in May, which led to the cancellation of results and a retest affecting approximately 2 million students. This incident highlighted broader frustrations regarding job scarcity and government accountability.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 26 days in support of the movement, described Pradhan’s resignation as “a victory of peace, patience & perseverance.”
Agreement to End Protests
In a joint press conference, Health Minister J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, a junior minister in Modi’s office, met with CJP leaders to formalize the end of the protests. The agreement stipulated that the government would not pursue any legal action against the demonstrators.
As protests intensified earlier in the week, Modi shifted from his usual scripted addresses to post a personal video expressing his distress over the exam paper leaks and promising strict action. However, the protesters remained resolute, insisting that Pradhan’s resignation was the only acceptable outcome.
On Saturday, jubilant crowds at Jantar Mantar shouted “Jai Hind,” a patriotic slogan meaning “Victory to India,” as the national anthem played and sweets were distributed. Reports indicated that over 1,000 police officials were stationed nearby to maintain order.
Roads surrounding Connaught Place, a central business district near the protest site, were closed as celebrations continued, with thousands of protesters gathering.
Pradhan, 57, a senior member of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and the son of a veteran BJP leader, had served as education minister since 2021. Following his resignation, federal authorities restored mobile internet access around the protest site, which had been blocked for most of the week.
“Younger generations are here. This is a win for the constitution,” remarked protester Tluanga Ralte, who was seen carrying a copy of the Indian constitution. “We are not a lazy generation.”
Calls for Accountability
The CJP protests began in June but escalated dramatically after police injured dozens of students during a crackdown on demonstrators marching toward parliament. Opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed Pradhan’s resignation but emphasized that those responsible for the violence against students must be held accountable. He called for Modi to apologize for the excessive use of force.
Pradhan’s resignation marks only the second time a minister has stepped down due to a scandal since Modi took office in 2014. The first was M.J. Akbar, who resigned as junior foreign minister in October 2018 amid allegations of sexual harassment during India’s #MeToo movement.
In recent days, students, youth activists, and opposition supporters have staged protests across various Indian states, including West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, demanding Pradhan’s resignation and boycotting classes.
“Remember, do not mess with cockroach,” Dipke cautioned in a statement on Saturday.
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Published on 2026-07-25 13:21:00 • By the Editorial Desk
