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🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

Pradhan steps down, Gen Z steps up

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following a 36-day student protest, marking a significant victory for student activism.
  • The protests, which brought central Delhi to a halt, also led to government acceptance of compensation for students who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs.
  • The resignation signals the emergence of a new generation of young people, particularly Gen Z, entering Indian politics.

India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, concluding a 36-day student-led protest that significantly impacted the political landscape. The sweeping demonstrations brought central Delhi to a standstill, energized a previously moribund opposition, and heralded the arrival of a new generation of young people into politics.

The sprawling sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar concluded hours after Pradhan's resignation announcement via X. Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) confirmed the government's acceptance of two other key demands: compensation of ₹1 crore to the families of students who died by suicide due to irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), and the withdrawal of all first information reports (FIRs) filed against students who participated in a large march to Parliament earlier in the week.

We have won. Gandhi has won. Ambedkar has won.

— Abhijeet DipkeCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's declaration from the protest stage as news of the minister's resignation and other demands being met spread.

This marks the first instance in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's three terms where a popular street protest has compelled the resignation of a Union minister. Union consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge of the education ministry. Celebrations erupted among the youth, many from Gen Z, who waved the Indian flag, climbed barricades, and danced spontaneously as music played. Many paused to sing the national anthem and "Saare Jahan Se Acha" before unfurling banners and posters featuring memes and slogans critical of the government.

"Our generation did it. We showed them that you cannot call us terrorists, hit us, and go scot free," said 22-year-old Nachiket Malhotra. Pradhan, one of the senior-most ministers and the longest-serving education minister in nearly two decades, stated in a two-page note that he was disturbed by recent events and resolved to prevent the youth from becoming entangled in confusion. The resignation is seen by some as a move by the BJP to avoid alienating Gen Z voters ahead of upcoming elections.

Our generation did it. We showed them that you cannot call us terrorists, hit us, and go scot free.

— Nachiket MalhotraA 22-year-old protester expressing the sentiment of the youth movement after the minister's resignation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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