Particle.news

Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns After Month‑Long Student Protests

The government accepted core Cockroach Janta Party demands, pledged FIR withdrawals, compensation, and a fast‑track paper‑leak bill, with Pralhad Joshi given additional charge of the Education Ministry.

Overview

  • Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to the prime minister on Saturday after more than a month of nationwide student sit‑ins at Jantar Mantar demanding accountability for alleged exam paper leaks.
  • The Centre agreed to the protesters’ main demands and the Cockroach Janta Party suspended its nationwide agitation after talks between CJP leaders and senior ministers.
  • Officials said the government will withdraw FIRs filed against protesters, provide compensation to families of students who died by suicide, and introduce an amendment to fast‑track paper‑leak probes and trials.
  • Pralhad Joshi was handed additional charge of the Education Ministry hours after Pradhan stepped down, and leaders set a deadline for follow‑up talks and a written guarantee on implementation.
  • The resignation is a rare political concession in the current government and officials cited security warnings and electoral concerns over alienating Gen Z as key reasons for the decision, while questions about enforcement and the new bill remain.