India Education Minister Resigns After Weeks of Student Protests
NEW DELHI-ndia’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of nationwide student-led protests over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations and broader concerns about irregularities in the education system, marking a significant political setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Pradhan announced his resignation in a post on X, conceding to the principal demand of the protest movement known as the “Cockroach” movement. The demonstrations, which have included sit-ins, marches and hunger strikes across several Indian cities, have become one of the most sustained public challenges to the government in recent years.
The protests began more than a month ago following allegations that question papers for major entrance examinations had been leaked. Initially centred on demands for reforms to India’s examination system, the movement expanded to encompass wider grievances over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunities.
Students, professionals, activists and families joined demonstrations in New Delhi and other cities, with thousands maintaining a protest camp in the capital for over a month. The movement continued despite repeated efforts by police to disperse crowds, including the use of tear gas and batons during earlier demonstrations.
Celebrations broke out at the main protest site after news of Pradhan’s resignation spread. Protesters waved India’s national flag, embraced one another and described the minister’s departure as a long-awaited step toward accountability in the education sector.
Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who participated in the protests, said Pradhan’s resignation was necessary to restore confidence in the education system.
“This had to be done. Someone must be held accountable,” Kumar said.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which initiated the protest campaign, declared the resignation a victory for the movement, posting on X that “DEMOCRACY WINS!”
Tensions had intensified earlier this week when police moved to stop thousands of demonstrators marching toward Parliament. Several students were injured during the operation, further fuelling public anger and increasing pressure on the government.
Before accepting Pradhan’s resignation, the Modi administration had attempted to address concerns by announcing plans for fast-track courts to handle cases involving examination paper leaks. The government also said it would introduce legislation aimed at strengthening measures against cheating and corruption in the examination system.
Those proposals, however, failed to satisfy protest leaders, who argued that institutional reforms alone did not address the issue of political accountability. They continued to insist on the education minister’s resignation as a prerequisite for restoring public trust.
Although Pradhan’s departure fulfils the movement’s central demand, organisers said their campaign would continue. They are seeking compensation for the families of students who they say died by suicide following alleged examination paper leaks, as well as action against police officers accused of using excessive force during the demonstrations.
“Remember, do not mess with (the) cockroach,” movement leader Abhijeet Dipke said in a written statement.
The resignation represents the first major concession by Modi’s government to the protest movement, while broader demands concerning education reforms, accountability and law enforcement remain unresolved.
