Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned Saturday amid escalating student protests over alleged irregularities in national examinations. Pradhan announced his decision on social media, stating he agreed to step down to prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation.
In his statement, Pradhan confirmed the government's intention to transition to a computer-based testing model to mitigate future fraud and noted that a replacement exam had been successfully administered in June. He attributed the decision to step down to a desire to protect the nation's youth, whom he called its “real strength.”
The protests, dubbed the ‘Cockroach Movement’ by participants, gained momentum last week when tens of thousands of students marched toward Parliament, defying police orders and clashing with authorities. The following day, protesters escalated their actions by attempting to block public transportation, creating blockades at key metro stations and significantly disrupting daily commutes for millions.
Law enforcement responded to the disruptions by using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds, which further fueled public outrage. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the CJP, celebrated Pradhan's resignation with fellow protesters in New Delhi, calling it a “victory for the people of India.” He later posted an image of India’s Constitution on social media.