India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after weeks of protests demanding his ouster due to leaks in competitive entrance exams and fraud allegations within the education system. His resignation is seen as a major concession from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has rarely yielded to public pressure over its 12 years in power. The protests, known as the ‘Cockroach’ movement, initially focused on education reform but expanded to issues like unemployment and government accountability, attracting widespread participation.
Pradhan’s decision sparked celebration among protesters camping in New Delhi, who feel vindicated. Many called for accountability in the education system, marking this movement as one of the strongest challenges Modi’s government has faced. Despite the government’s previous efforts to ease tensions, including introducing fast-track tribunals and anti-cheating legislation, protesters demanded more, including compensation for families of students impacted by the exam leaks.
Campaign leaders emphasized that their fight would continue even after Pradhan’s resignation, expressing grievances regarding police brutality and seeking justice for those affected by the crisis.
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