"I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister", Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on social media on 25/7.
He stated that this decision came after a wave of youth protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and across the country. These demonstrations opposed the national medical entrance exam paper leak in India in May.
"I deeply respect the legitimate aspirations, emotions, and expectations of the nation's youth", Minister Pradhan said.
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Pradhan in New Delhi, India in 2015. Photo: Reuters |
"We did it", declared Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Party (CJP), which led the protest movement, amidst resounding cheers at Jantar Mantar following Pradhan's resignation announcement.
The young people present chanted "Jai Hindi", a patriotic slogan meaning "victory for India". Over 1,000 police officers were deployed nearby to guard the area during the protest.
During the national medical entrance exam in May, the paper was leaked, leading to the cancellation of admission results. The government ordered a re-examination, affecting approximately two million candidates. The protests also reflected discontent over job scarcity, corruption, and government accountability.
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Protesters in New Delhi react after the Education Minister announced his resignation on 25/7. Photo: AP |
Supporters of the CJP-led "Cockroach" movement began organizing protests in June. However, public outrage intensified on 20/7 when police used batons and tear gas to block a crowd advancing towards the parliament building, injuring dozens of students.
Students, young activists, and opposition supporters recently organized protests in West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. They held banners demanding Pradhan's resignation and refused to attend classes in some areas.
"This is a victory for the Constitution", protester Tluanga Ralte said after the Education Minister announced his resignation. "We are not a lazy generation."
Pradhan is the second minister to resign due to a scandal since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. Previously, M.J. Akbar resigned as minister of state in 2018 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment.
Pham Giang (According to Reuters, AFP)
