Dharmendra Pradhan Exits Education Ministry as Student Protests Reach 36-Day Peak

The First Exit in the NEET Controversy

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned his post on July 25, 2026, triggering celebrations among crowds gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The resignation follows 36 days of consistent demonstrations led by students and activists following allegations of paper leaks within the NEET examination system. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke characterized the ministerial departure as a primary victory, though he confirmed the movement would persist until all grievances are addressed.

Demonstrations Escalate at Jantar Mantar

Tensions surged near Sansad Marg around 2 p.m. on Saturday, shortly before the resignation became public. Eyewitness reports indicate that security forces deployed tear gas to manage protesters during minor physical altercations. Despite the volatility, Dipke addressed the crowd from the dais, waving the national flag and citing the resignation as evidence that democratic dissent can yield results. “Only if you raise your voice, they will stay in line because they are sitting in power because of us,” Dipke stated, asserting that the public should not fear speaking out against those in authority.

Unresolved Mandates and Compensation Claims

While the CJP views the vacancy at the Education Ministry as an initial success, the organization has outlined several outstanding requirements before they will consider disbanding the protest, which began on June 20. The group’s agenda includes:

• A formal demand for ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who reportedly committed suicide due to the NEET irregularities.
• Criminal prosecution of individuals responsible for the alleged examination leaks.
• A public apology from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police regarding their conduct during an earlier march toward Parliament.
• Total immunity from legal action for all participants involved in the demonstrations.

Dipke, who shared an image of himself with the Indian Constitution following the news, emphasized that the movement remains active. He signaled that the group intends to maintain its presence at Jantar Mantar to ensure accountability for the alleged police atrocities and to secure financial support for bereaved families.

Source: The Hindu — Home