Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as India’s education minister following weeks of nationwide protests by the Cockroach Janta Party.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as India’s education minister on Saturday following a month of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party. The resignation follows widespread public dissent over alleged exam paper leaks and systemic irregularities in the country's education system. The administration accepted the movement's primary demands, including broader educational reforms and a commitment to drop legal actions against the protesters. The movement, which gained momentum after the Chief Justice of India compared unemployed youth to "cockroaches," saw thousands of students and professionals gather in New Delhi. While the administration initially responded with fast-track courts and new legislation to address cheating, the persistent pressure from the youth movement forced a significant concession. Following the announcement, the Cockroach Janta Party declared a victory for democracy. Protesters celebrated in the streets, while activist Sonam Wangchuk, who completed a 26-day hunger strike in support of the movement, hailed the resignation as a victory of perseverance. The resignation marks a rare instance of the government yielding to sustained public pressure during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12-year tenure.