New Delhi — Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister on Saturday, following 37 days of intense nationwide student protests centered at New Delhi’s iconic Jantar Mantar site, which led to a major victory for the youth.
The protests had been triggered by widespread allegations of paper leaks and systemic irregularities in major competitive examinations, most notably the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for aspiring medical students.
Spearheaded by youth organizations—including Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)—thousands of students, aspirants, and common people gathered at Jantar Mantar, a few minutes away from the Indian Parliament, to protest.
Demonstrators established encampments and sit-ins, demanding immediate accountability for the paper leaks that disrupted the futures of millions of students across the country. Their first demand was the immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Second, financial compensation for the families of the 20-some students who took their lives over this issue. Finally, withdrawal of police reports against student protestors and strict legal action against police officers who assaulted numerous students.
The movement gained traction when Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist and renowned scientist, began an indefinite hunger strike for 26 days at Jantar Mantar. On July 18th, he was taken away by police officers to a hospital due to concerns over his deteriorating health.
Mr. Wangchuk, from the hospital, called for the people of India to march towards the Parliament on July 20th, the day that the parliament opens for its session, to express their demands to the government. Sure enough, people—most notably, Gen Z— showed up from all corners of the country, with estimates reaching tens of thousands.
During the march towards the Parliament, Delhi police issued several warnings that the march had not been approved, and those who refused to back down would be met with police batons. Videos soon began circulating of police beating young protestors without any provocation. Most police officers were seen without badges to identify them, and several without their uniforms.
Furthermore, on the day of the protest, people were blocked from accessing the Delhi Metro to reach the protest site. Internet access was blocked at and near the protest site to break the protesters’ ability to communicate with each other.
Though the march to parliament was unsuccessful, the protest managed to garner public attention, with the outcry reaching its peak. People from around the globe condemned the government’s lack of empathy and its active suppression of public dissent.
Finally, faced with mounting political and societal pressure, Minister Pradhan posted an open resignation letter addressed directly to the students and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X.
In his statement, Pradhan noted that he willingly chose to step down to ensure that so-called anti-national forces do not take advantage of the youth, and the students can spend their time on their studies instead of being taken advantage of by unrest at Jantar Mantar.
News of the minister’s resignation was met with ecstatic celebrations at Jantar Mantar. Crowds waved national flags, sang freedom songs, and chanted “Hum Jeet Gaye” (“We Have Won”).
Following the announcement and subsequent discussion between student delegates and government officials, organizers agreed to clear the protest site at Jantar Mantar. However, student bodies across India have promised to closely monitor upcoming parliamentary proceedings and reforms to ensure that the promised safeguards for competitive examinations are fully implemented.
Written by Arunima A
