Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Education Minister Amid CJP Protests Over NEET Paper Leak

New Delhi — Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned amid a month-long student agitation in Delhi demanding his removal over exam irregularities and NEET paper leaks.

Pradhan submitted his resignation to PM Narendra Modi on Saturday and announced it on X, hours before the third round of talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Centre.

Why He Resigned

Pradhan’s resignation was the main demand of protesters camping at Jantar Mantar for over a month.

In his X post, Pradhan said:

“I hold deep respect for the aspirations of the youth of this country. To ensure anti-national forces do not take advantage of the situation, and that the future of even a single student does not get entangled in legal complications, I have submitted my resignation to Hon’ble Prime Minister.”

He added that realising the dreams of India’s youth has been the “moral resolve” of his political life.

CJP’s Key Demands

The protesters had put forth 3 demands:

1. Resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan
2. No legal action against student protesters 
3. Compensation for families of students who died by suicide after NEET paper leaks

The Centre had assured agreement on points 2 and 3 on Friday, but remained silent on the resignation demand till Saturday.

Protesters Celebrate

The Jantar Mantar protest site erupted in celebration after the news.

CJP posted: “Long Live Student Power.”

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said from the stage: “They used to say that no one resigns in this government. But we have done it.”

The agitation had spread to dozens of cities and became a major political issue with the Opposition backing the movement and cornering the government.