- Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as India's education minister on Saturday after tens of thousands of students protested for his removal and reforms to the examination system.
- Protests escalated in New Delhi and across India, with demonstrators demanding accountability over allegations of leaked entrance examinations for medical schools.
- Police responded to the protests with batons and tear gas, leading to injuries among demonstrators.
- Pradhan's resignation marks a significant defeat for the Modi government, as it is the first time a loyal minister has resigned due to public pressure in 12 years.
- The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was formed in May after comments by India's chief justice likened unemployed youth to 'cockroaches'.
- Support for the CJP grew into a nationwide movement, with hundreds of thousands participating in protests across major cities.
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as India's education minister comes after a week of intense protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which demanded accountability over exam paper leaks.4
Tens of thousands of students rallied in New Delhi, marking a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Pradhan stated, “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,” reflecting the pressure from demonstrators.
The protests erupted after allegations that entrance exams for prestigious medical schools were leaked, forcing millions to retake tests.
The CJP, founded in May, gained momentum after comments by India's chief justice likened unemployed youth to “cockroaches.”
The movement's demands included compensation for families of students who took their own lives after the exam results were scrapped.
Pradhan's resignation is unprecedented; it marks the first time a loyal minister of Modi has stepped down due to public pressure in the BJP's 12 years in power.
The protests, which saw police brutality against peaceful demonstrators, have galvanized youth dissent across the nation, with hundreds of thousands participating in rallies in cities like Kolkata and Mumbai.
As support for the CJP grew, the government agreed to dialogue, but initially ignored the core demand for Pradhan's resignation.6
The news of his stepping down was met with cheers from CJP supporters, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape of India.
“The bus collision on the Deir ez-Zor–Damascus highway left 8 dead and dozens injured, with videos showing one bus catching fire. Separately, Abhijeet Dipke of the CJP demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for families of students who died after exam results were scrapped.”
The Guardian
