India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday as growing youth protests placed increasing pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The development marks a significant success for protesters who had been demanding accountability and major changes to the country’s examination system.
The demonstrations began following allegations that entrance examination papers for prestigious medical institutions had been leaked and sold. The campaign has been led by a youth movement called the Cockroach Janta Party, also known as the CJP.
Pradhan’s resignation came after tens of thousands of students and supporters joined street protests calling for him to leave office and demanding broad reforms to the examination process. Modi has not publicly confirmed whether he has accepted Pradhan’s resignation.
After the announcement, the CJP said it would immediately stop its nationwide demonstrations, stating that the government had agreed to address its demands.
Among the demands was compensation for families of students who, according to reports in Indian media, died by suicide after being informed that their examination results would be cancelled.
The CJP also said authorities had agreed to examine its five point proposal for reforming the examination system. Government representatives are expected to meet members of the movement to discuss the proposed changes.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke welcomed Pradhan’s resignation but said the movement still had further work to accomplish.
Nitin Nabin, national president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and an associate of Modi, praised Pradhan’s decision to resign. He described it as an example of integrity and dedication to public service and said the BJP supported his decision.
The protests had become increasingly tense in recent days, with demonstrators and police clashing during several incidents. The actions taken by law enforcement further angered young protesters and helped the movement attract wider public attention and support.
Pradhan’s resignation represents an unusual political setback for the Modi government. Modi, who is serving his third term as prime minister, has generally remained resistant to pressure from protest movements. His administration has also faced repeated criticism from opponents over allegations that dissent and political opposition have been restricted in the world’s largest democracy.