INDIA'S Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following days of escalating youth-led protests over examination paper leaks, marking a major concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after one of the country's largest street demonstrations in recent years.
The resignation triggered jubilant scenes at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site, where thousands of demonstrators celebrated by chanting patriotic slogans, dancing and distributing sweets before organisers declared an end to the movement.
The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which spearheaded the protests, said it would call off its demonstrations following Pradhan's resignation.
"We have done it," CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told cheering supporters.
Foreign news agencies reported that the protests had emerged as a significant political challenge for Modi, attracting backing from opposition parties and disrupting parliamentary proceedings. Images of clashes between police and demonstrators, including the use of tear gas, further intensified public anger, although authorities maintained that security personnel had acted to preserve public order.
Announcing his resignation on X, Pradhan said he was stepping down in the national interest.
"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.
"I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth."
The protesters had demanded Pradhan's resignation after the leak of a high-profile medical college entrance examination paper in May forced authorities to cancel the results and conduct a fresh examination affecting around two million candidates.
Beyond the examination controversy, the demonstrations reflected broader frustration among young Indians over employment opportunities and government accountability.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had undertaken a 26-day hunger strike in solidarity with the students, described the resignation as "a victory of peace, patience & perseverance."
Later on Saturday, Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh held talks with CJP representatives, after which the movement announced it was ending its protests under an agreement that the government would not pursue action against demonstrators.
As public pressure mounted earlier in the week, Modi departed from his customary scripted addresses and monthly radio broadcasts to release a personal video message, expressing sorrow over the examination paper leaks and promising stringent action against those responsible. Protest leaders, however, maintained they would continue their demonstrations until the education minister stepped down.
Following news of the resignation, crowds at Jantar Mantar chanted "Jai Hind" as the Indian national anthem played over loudspeakers.
Police maintained a heavy security presence around the protest site, with around 1,000 officers deployed, while roads surrounding New Delhi's Connaught Place commercial district were closed as celebrations drew thousands of supporters.
Pradhan, 57, has served as education minister since 2021 and is a senior figure in Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is the son of veteran BJP leader Debendra Pradhan and had previously been viewed as a potential future party president.
Authorities also restored mobile internet services around the protest site after restricting access for much of the previous week.
"Young generation is here. This is a win for the constitution," protester Tluanga Ralte said while carrying a copy of India's Constitution.
"We are not a lazy generation."
The movement had been campaigning since June, but momentum accelerated after police baton charges and tear gas were used against demonstrators marching towards Parliament earlier in the week, leaving dozens injured.
Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed Pradhan's resignation but said those responsible for the police response should also face accountability.
"Those who hurt the students during protests have to be held accountable," he said, adding that Modi should apologise for the use of force.
Pradhan is only the second minister to resign over a political controversy since Modi took office in 2014. Former junior foreign minister M.J. Akbar stepped down in 2018 after multiple allegations of sexual harassment surfaced during India's #MeToo movement.
In recent days, students, youth activists and opposition supporters had staged demonstrations across West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with some boycotting classes while demanding Pradhan's resignation.
As celebrations concluded on Saturday, Dipke declared the movement had achieved its objective.
"Remember, do not mess with cockroach," he said. - July 26, 2026
