Imphal: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the cabinet on Saturday. He cited the need to protect student futures and prevent outside groups from exploiting national unrest. The resignation arrived after days of heavy pressure from demonstrators.
Protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar broke into cheers. Activist Sonam Wangchuk led an indefinite fast at the site. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) made the minister's departure a firm requirement for ongoing talks with the government. Chief Abhijeet Dipke confirmed the news to the crowd after receiving a phone call. He shouted, "We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned," to his supporters.
Dipke called the resignation a major milestone for the country. However, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the group will keep their sit-in alive until they get formal written confirmation. Police presence at the protest site thinned out following the announcement. Officers stopped checking visitor IDs and recording social media handles.
Pradhan, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Odisha, held the office since 2021. He stayed in the role after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The minister stated his exit was a voluntary move on moral grounds. He pointed to the violent July 20 march toward Parliament that left over 180 people injured, including protesters and police.
Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed deep sadness over recent events and promised to stop examination mafias from hurting bright students. The former minister insisted that India’s youth are the country's greatest strength.
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