India’s education minister quits in major win for youth protesters
India’s latest street protests have been a challenge to PM Narendra Modi as politicians joined youngsters’ calls to demand action
India’s education minister resigned on Saturday, handing a major victory to youth protesters who had demanded he quit to take responsibility for examination paper leaks, and who erupted in celebration on news of his departure.
“We have done it,” said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party that led the protests, to loud cheers at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi.
“Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar (protest site) and across the country, so that antinational forces do not take advantage of this situation … I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister,” Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in his post.
“I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”
The minister announced his resignation on social media just as police fired tear gas to scatter young protesters in New Delhi, hours before their leaders were set to hold another round of talks with ministers.
A minister since Modi first took office in 2014, he has held the petroleum and natural gas, steel, skill development and education portfolios, becoming education minister in 2021. His father was a veteran BJP leader and served as a junior federal minister between 1998 and 2004.
Pradhan’s resignation is “a victory of peace, patience & perseverance”, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike for 26 days to support the youngster’s movement, wrote on social media.