Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as India’s education minister following nationwide protests over exam leaks and systemic irregularities.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as India’s education minister on Saturday, yielding to weeks of sustained public pressure from a youth-led movement. The resignation follows a nationwide protest campaign organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded accountability for alleged paper leaks in competitive entrance exams and broader reforms to the education system. The move marks a rare concession for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has historically maintained a strongman image and rarely yielded to public dissent. While the administration has introduced fast-track courts and new legislation to address cheating, the CJP insisted that Pradhan’s departure was a non-negotiable requirement. Protesters celebrated the victory in New Delhi, where thousands had camped for over a month. The movement, which began as a response to a judicial comment comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches," has highlighted issues of youth unemployment and the high pressure placed on students. Following the announcement, the CJP called off its demonstrations, declaring a victory for democracy.

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