Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Education Minister Following Youth-Led Protests Over Exam Leaks
The administration announced the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister following weeks of intense, youth-led protests centered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The demonstrations, organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were sparked by a series of medical examination paper leaks that forced millions of students to retake exams. While the administration initially responded with a measured crackdown, including the use of tear gas and batons, the protests successfully forced a rare retreat from the government. Protesters, primarily from the Gen Z demographic, utilized social media to mock the public persona of Narendra Modi and demand accountability for administrative failures. The movement was characterized by its radical decentralization, with students using scraps of cardboard and digital art to express individual agency. The administration has since launched a campaign to win back the youth, who represent a half of the population. While the Supreme Court has ordered the release of under-18 protesters, the government continues to address demands for compensation for students who allegedly died from the stress of the exam leaks. The CJP founder, Abhijeet Dipke, indicated that while the protests have subsided, the movement remains active for future grievances.