Modi Government Concedes to Jantej Movement: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, Cockroach Janata Party Reacts

September 25, Kathmandu – India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned amid ongoing protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been demanding his resignation for nearly a month.

The issue of the NEET exam paper leak triggered nationwide demonstrations calling for Minister Pradhan’s resignation.

What did Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan say?

Through the social media platform X, Pradhan announced that he has sent his resignation to the Prime Minister, though it has yet to be officially accepted.

He wrote on X, “To prevent anti-national forces from taking advantage of the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, to maintain national unity, to avoid legal complications for students’ future, and to ensure children can focus on their studies, I have submitted my resignation to the honorable Prime Minister.”

He added, “I have dedicated over four decades to students, teachers, and educational reform. I firmly believe a strong, inclusive, and visionary education system is the foundation of the nation.”

Pradhan further stated, “I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and just expectations of the nation’s youth. It has always been our moral resolve to fulfill young people’s dreams. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the nation under the leadership of the honorable Prime Minister.”

Regarding the NEET paper leak issue, he said, “From day one, I took responsibility and never shied away from the situation. My commitment was to protect the future of meritorious students from exam mafias and ensure justice. However, many obstacles came my way, which deeply saddened me.”

What was the Cockroach Janata Party’s response?

Abhijeet Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, said, “We proved our power—the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan confirms this.”

Deepke added, “The Prime Minister realized after the resignation that fear is unnecessary and a minister’s resignation can only be forced when the government is compelled. There is no need to fear in a democracy.”

Previously, all opposition parties including the Congress had firmly demanded Pradhan’s resignation.

Jantar Mantar Movement

About 100 prominent authors, artists, and intellectuals issued a joint statement supporting the students’ movement that demanded transparency and accountability in public examinations.

The statement highlighted that the recurring exam paper leaks and irregularities in the examination process have undermined the credibility of public institutions.

On Friday, the Cockroach Janata Party and the central government held talks in Delhi that lasted approximately two hours. The CJP maintained its demand for the Education Minister’s resignation and did not back down.

Government negotiator JP Nadda said talks would continue after discussions about the resignation demand. Even before the third round of talks on Saturday, the resignation demand was declared “non-negotiable.”

The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20 against the exam paper leaks. Educator Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh also staged a hunger strike during the movement. Many figures from fields such as film, education, arts, and sports have supported the CJP’s cause.

Political Pressure on the Government

The protests at Jantar Mantar were not the only pressure point; youth across the country also took to the streets demanding the Education Minister’s resignation. Opposition parties inside and outside Parliament increased pressure on the government.

On Saturday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that despite shutting down metros, shops, internet, roads, and food supplies, the government failed to stop the exam paper leak.

During the ongoing Jantar Mantar movement, Rahul Gandhi posted on social media platform X, “Close the metro, close roads, close shops, shut down the internet, stop food. But the government adopted these harsh measures to silence students’ voices. The shocking part is, Modi Ji said they couldn’t stop the exam paper leak.”

On Saturday morning, 18 metro stations in Delhi were closed from 7:30 AM onwards. The Cockroach Janata Party and its supporters claimed internet services around the protest area were disrupted.

‘Once a cockroach enters, it never leaves’

At Jantar Mantar, Abhijeet Deepke commented, “The minister has resigned, but we still have two demands remaining. We will not leave until those are met. Once a cockroach gets in, it doesn’t leave. Families of students who died by suicide must receive compensation of 10 million rupees, and the police must face action.”

He added, “Delhi Police should remember they are confronting cockroaches. If we have secured one minister’s resignation, what more do you expect? The cases filed against students must be withdrawn. There is democracy; what we have been doing for a month is known to all. People said the government was arbitrary, but we proved otherwise.”

Upon hearing the news of Pradhan’s resignation, Deepke celebrated by kneeling down in joy.

Pradhan Resigns 4 Hours After Bhagwat’s Statement

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated on Saturday morning in Delhi, “We cannot become the sole rulers arbitrarily.”

He added, “Today’s generation raises many questions. Instead of issuing orders, we must communicate with them. We should explain and guide them on the right path.”

Within four hours of Bhagwat’s remarks, Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation.

47 Officials from National Testing Agency Dismissed Previously

On Friday night, 47 officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) were dismissed for their involvement in the NEET paper leak scandal. Preparations are underway to file criminal cases against the responsible officials.

According to officials, further reforms will soon be implemented in the NTA’s structure. The government recently reshuffled two secretaries in the Ministry of Education.

The outsourcing system will be revised and technical upgrades introduced to ensure the examination process is fully secure.

The NTA plans to appoint four senior general managers and 16 young professionals through the UPSC’s “Pratibha Setu” portal.

(With assistance from Indian media sources)