India's Education Minister Resigns Amidst Paper Leak Protests

Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned as India's education minister, a move accepted by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday. The decision comes after significant pressure stemming from nationwide protests against alleged paper leaks in crucial entrance examinations. The President, acting on the Prime Minister's advice, accepted Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect.

“

The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.

Pralhad Joshi, currently holding portfolios for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, has been given the additional responsibility of the Ministry of Education. This development follows hours after Pradhan submitted his resignation, which was a key demand of a youth-led movement protesting examination irregularities.

The government's acceptance of Pradhan's resignation also signals an agreement to other demands put forth by the protesters. These include providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide in connection with the NEET exam leak and withdrawing First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against those involved in the protests. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a key group in the agitation, announced the withdrawal of their protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi after these demands were met.

“

All our demands have been accepted, so we request the protesters to withdraw immediately and return home peacefully. We will inform you of our future strategy or any other issues. But we request the protesters to withdraw immediately.

According to the CJP, the government has committed to offering the "maximum possible compensation for families of NEET paper leak-related suicide victims." Furthermore, all FIRs registered by the central government and NDA-ruled states will be withdrawn, ensuring no future action against protestors. The CJP's five-point exam reform charter will also be considered, with further discussions planned between the CJP and the government on these reforms.

“

maximum possible compensation for families of NEET paper leak-related suicide victims.