India’s Education Minister Resigns Amid Nationwide Student Protests Over Medical Exam Leak
Dharamendra Pradhan, India’s Education Minister, resigned following weeks of widespread student protests sparked by the leakage of medical college entrance exam questions. Protesters view his resignation as a government retreat under public pressure.
In a message on the social media platform X, Pradhan announced that due to the situation at the Jantar Mantar protest site and other locations across the country, and to prevent what he called “exploitation by anti-national forces,” he submitted his resignation letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also stated that he respects the demands and sentiments of the youth.
His resignation was announced as large police forces remained deployed across New Delhi, using tear gas to disperse protesters. This occurred just hours before a fresh round of talks between student representatives and government officials.
The leak of the medical college entrance exam questions in May, which led to the cancellation of results and re-examination, affected approximately two million candidates and became one of India’s most controversial educational crises in recent years.
The protest movement, dubbed “Kokroch,” began in June and intensified after dozens of students were injured in clashes with the police. Protesters demanded accountability over the exam leak and called on the government to address corruption and the lack of employment opportunities.
Following the resignation announcement, protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi celebrated by singing the national anthem and distributing sweets. Reports indicated that at least 1,000 police officers were present around the area, with authorities restricting internet access and limiting operations at 18 metro stations.
Pradhan, 57, is a senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Narendra Modi. He has been part of the cabinet since 2014 and has held the Education Ministry portfolio since 2021. He is the second member of Modi’s cabinet to resign following a political scandal.
