Indian education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid nationwide protests
His resignation comes after sustained demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations and opposition parties, which had made his removal from the Union Cabinet the central demand of the agitation.
India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned today (25 July), after weeks of massive student protests in Delhi seeking his resignation over exam irregularities, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak.
Pradhan announced his resignation from the post on X. He said that he was taking the decision keeping the future of students in mind.
"...To ensure that anti-national elements are not benefitted by the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, students in India do not get tangled in legal complexities and focus on their studies and their career, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister...," the letter reads.
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The development comes a day after spokespersons from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the Abhijeet Dipke-led outfit that has been leading the protests, met union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
After the meeting, the CJP had said that the government had sought day's time to decide on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
CJP welcomes move, celebrations at Jantar Mantar
The CJP, which had long been seeking Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, welcomed the union minister's announcement. "The Education Minister has submitted his resignation. Chhatra Shakti Zindabad (Long live Student Power)!"
During a media interaction, Dipke later said: "Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. And this resignation is proof that if you people are not afraid, if you people do not bow down to this government, then we can take the resignation of anyone."
Shortly after Pradhan's announcement, the CJP shared a video on Instagram, showing people at Jantar Mantar celebrating and Dipke sitting on his knees and on his phone.
The CJP began its protest in Delhi last month, and the students' support for the agitation only grew ever since climate activist Sonam Wangchuk began his hunger strike.
Despite Wangchuk calling off his fast this week, the CJP stayed firm on Pradhan's resignation demand, making it clear that nothing less would be acceptable.
