Shillong: Students, elders, and activists swarmed Don Bosco Square in Laitumkhrah on July 20 to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The crowd rallied against chronic examination paper leaks and a perceived lack of transparency in the national education system. Protesters carried placards reading, "Save Democracy in India. Resign Dharmendra Pradhan and Modi."
The movement drew support from the Meghalaya Congress, with general secretary Manuel Badwar calling the demonstration a sign of frustration with government failures. TUR leader Angela Rangad noted the protest formed organically through social media, highlighting how students feel ignored by those in power. She sharply criticized the administration, noting, "Paper leaks are happening at the state level too. Education is becoming expensive and privatised, with no quality. And then students are insulted and called ‘cockroaches’. That is the contempt this government has."
Participants sang the song "They Don’t Really Care About Us" while local police maintained a presence to ensure order. The protest echoes similar actions nationwide, including those led by activist Sonam Wangchuk. Attendees voiced deep concern over the future of lakhs of students who have suffered due to administrative lapses. The Meghalaya Congress officially backed the Cockroach Janta Party in this effort. They insist the central government must stop ignoring these demands and address the degradation of the national education sector.
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