New Delhi, July 25: Following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, one of the key demands of the Cockroach Janta Party-led students’ agitation, the outfit called it a “win for democracy”.

A post on CJP’s official X handle read “Democracy Wins!”. It accompanied a video which showed the protesters celebrating Pradhan’s resignation.

Addressing reporters and the demonstrators soon after Pradhan’s resignation was made public, the outfit’s founder Abhijeet Dipke said: “We have done it!…Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. What did they say, that resignations don’t happen under this government…we say that the world does bow down, it just needs the correct people to do so.”

Displaying a banner consisting of pictures of those students who committed suicide in the aftermath of the May 3 NEET-UG paper leak, the CJP founder said: “This is for them, for all those students who lost their lives due to Dharmendra Pradhan.”

He said that Pradhan’s resignation is “proof that if you people are not afraid, if you people do not bow down to this government, then we can take the resignation of anyone”.

“There’s no need to be afraid. This is democracy, and in order to hold them (the government) accountable, we have to raise our voice. They are in power due to us,” he added.

Further, Dipke said that though Pradhan has resigned, “but we have two more demands”.

“We won’t go like that…Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned, but the families of the children who committed suicide should receive compensation of Rs 1 crore. And secondly, action must be taken against those police goons who acted against protestors on July 20 (Parliament march).”

Addressing the police officers, he warned: “Only one resignation has taken place. Remember, do not mess with cockroaches…We took blows on ourselves; the students of this country have done a very courageous job.”

“All the cases which have been registered against the students before or after July 20 must be withdrawn,” he asserted.

“To the people of India, this is how a democracy should be,” Dipke added.

Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan, while submitting his resignation, reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.

New Delhi, July 25: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced his resignation, saying he was deeply pained by the developments of the past 10 days and wanted to ensure that anti-national forces did not exploit the situation arising from the controversy over examination irregularities.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.

This comes amid nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation citing accountability.

In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.”

“I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said.

He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.

“Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, in which state governments — and particularly district administrations — played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026,” Pradhan said.

“From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the ‘exam mafia’ and to ensure that no student faced injustice,” he added.

He said that during the re-examination results, “individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students”, an act, he said, caused him “deep distress”.

“I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India’s future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he added.

“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country — to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student’s future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers — I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister,” Pradhan said.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his “guidance, trust, and constant support” and to the Council of Ministers.

“Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well,” he added.

New Delhi, July 25: Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday tendered his resignation as the Union Education Minister amid the paper leak protests across the nation.

Submitting his resignation, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students’ future.

This comes amid the nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and Education Minister Pradhan’s resignation citing accountability.

In his letter, Pradhan said, “For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation.”

“I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth. Realising the dreams of India’s young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership,” he said.

He said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the CBI, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination. Additionally, he said that a decision was made to conduct this exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.

“Throughout this period, our primary priority was to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination for over 20 lakh students. We worked towards this using a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, in which state governments — and particularly district administrations — played a crucial role alongside the Government of India. With the cooperation of students and parents, the examination was successfully concluded on June 21, 2026,” Pradhan said.

“From day one, I took responsibility for the situation and never turned away from it. I was determined not to let the potential of any meritorious student be ruined by the ‘exam mafia’ and to ensure that no student faced injustice,” he added.

He said that during the re-examination results, “individuals holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles and mislead students”, an act, he said, caused him “deep distress”.

“I have always held unwavering faith in the strength of our democracy and deeply respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth. They are not merely India’s future; they are the torchbearers, builders, and architects of a new and developed India. I am pained by the events of the past ten days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me,” he added.

“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country — to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student’s future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers — I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister,” Pradhan said.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his “guidance, trust, and constant support” and to the Council of Ministers.

“Service to the nation is the highest priority of my life; I shall remain forever dedicated to it. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I will continue to dedicate myself in every possible way to fulfilling the aspirations of Mother India, the people of Odisha, and the youth of the country in the future as well,” he added.