India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over Gen-z protest

NEW DELHI: Indian Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post following nearly two months of nationwide protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak, according to Indian media.

Reports said Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted Pradhan’s resignation after sustained demonstrations led by student groups and youth organizations demanding accountability over the examination controversy.

It should be noted that the Cockroach Janata Party had been protesting at Jantar Mantar in the capital, New Delhi, for about two months over the issue of exam paper leaks, and during this time, prominent Indian figure Sonam Wangchuck also went on a 26-day hunger strike.

The Cockroach Janata Party called on everyone to reach Jantar Mantar on July 20, upon which thousands of youth reached the protest site. However, the Indian police used lathicharge and water cannons on the youth, and dozens of youth were also detained.

After about a month and a half, the Indian Prime Minister released a video message on social media, asking the youth to end the protest.

Despite all the Modi government’s high-handed tactics, the Indian youth remained steadfast in their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and rejected the government’s demand for the establishment of fast-track courts.

India’s opposition parties and political and social figures also continued to justify the demands of the young protesters.