India's education minister resigns after weeks of student-led protests
NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of protests that demanded his removal over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams and irregularities in the education system.
Pradhan's announcement, in a post on social platform X, marks the first major concession from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over the nationwide demonstrations, sit-ins and hunger strikes organised by the “Cockroach” movement.
The movement began more than a month ago after allegations of leaks in some of India’s biggest entrance exams. It started as a call for education reforms but has grown into a broader protest over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunities. Students, professionals, families and activists have joined rallies in New Delhi and other cities across India.
“DEMOCRACY WINS!” the Cockroach Janta Party wrote on X following the minister's resignation.
The demonstrations have become one of the most visible signs of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons to disperse marchers.
Tensions escalated on Monday when police moved to disperse thousands of protesters marching toward Parliament. Several students were injured in the crackdown, intensifying anger among demonstrators.
Modi’s government had earlier sought to ease tensions by announcing fast-track courts for cases involving exam paper leaks and saying it would introduce legislation to strengthen measures against cheating and corruption in the examination system.
But protest leaders said the demonstrations would continue until Pradhan stepped down. They are also demanding broader exam reforms and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after alleged exam paper leaks.
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