India’s education minister resigned today, a major victory to youth protesters whose street demonstrations over examination paper leaks had become a serious challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reuters said that celebrations erupted at the Jantar Mantar site in the capital New Delhi, which has served as the main protest location for days, with thousands of youngsters chanting victory slogans and dancing.
“We have done it,” said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party that led the protests, to loud cheers at the site.
India’s biggest street protests of recent years had become a major challenge for Modi this week as some opposition politicians voiced support for the youths and disrupted parliament proceedings. Scenes of unprecedented protests and police use of tear gas to control protesters had also caused public anger, though authorities defended their actions saying they were only ensuring law and order.
“Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation … I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in a post on X.
Reuters said that the minister announced his resignation hours before protest leaders were set to hold another round of talks with ministers to assert their demands.
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