NEW DELHI: India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of youth-led “Cockroach” protests over a series of examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the country’s education system.
“I have sent my resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Pradhan said in a brief statement, Al Jazeera reported.
DEMOCRACY WINS! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/HpCaqBkPxc
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 25, 2026
Pradhan announced his resignation on X in a post just hours before the third round of talks between the government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
“I hold deep respect for the aspirations, sentiments, and rightful expectations of the youth of this country. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been the moral resolve of our political and social life,” he wrote.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 25, 2026
In a two-page statement shared on X, Pradhan said he has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I express my gratitude to Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] for the opportunity given to me to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he added.
“Considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country — that anti-national forces should not take advantage of this situation, that the unity of the country should be preserved, that not even a single Indian student’s future should get entangled in legal complications, and that our children should devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers — I have sent my resignation to the honourable prime minister,” The Times of India quoted the letter as stating.
Pradhan’s resignation follows sustained nationwide demonstrations demanding accountability over repeated examination scandals, with protesters calling for sweeping reforms to India’s education system.
The movement gained momentum after allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities triggered widespread public anger.
The self-named Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth movement, which has been at the helm of the protests, welcomed the resignation by stating on its X account, “Cockroaches won.. Democracy won!”
Cockroaches won.. Democracy won!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳✊🏼
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 25, 2026
The movement, initially triggered by alleged irregularities in national examinations, has grown into a broader campaign demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and sweeping reforms to the country’s education system.
The protests were sparked by a series of controversies, including the leak of a medical entrance examination paper that forced millions of candidates to retake the test, along with failures in an online marking system for high school students.
The movement has since broadened to include concerns over unemployment, opportunities for young people and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
