Indian 'Cockroach' protesters achieve minister's resignation over exam leaks

India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned today amid mass protests demanding his dismissal over numerous exam irregularities. A significant leak of the medical entrance exam paper forced two million candidates to retake the test, sparking widespread public outcry.

Thousands of young people, under the banner of the 'Cockroach Movement,' gathered in New Delhi and across the country, advocating for educational system reforms and Pradhan's resignation. The movement, which gained traction on social media, announced the cancellation of planned protests in central New Delhi after the minister's resignation, asserting that their demands had been met during a government meeting.

Protests in recent days saw police use tear gas against demonstrators attempting to reach the parliament in New Delhi. Two rounds of government talks with the movement's leaders failed to yield significant progress, as the youth-led group remained firm on its demands. Pradhan submitted his resignation shortly before a third round of talks was scheduled.

Demonstrators celebrated the minister's resignation, with 'Cockroach Movement' founder Abhijit Dipke declaring, "We did it." The movement emerged partly due to concerns over unemployment and what its members describe as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's increasingly authoritarian governing style. The group, founded in May, adopted its name after a prosecutor referred to unemployed youth as "cockroaches."