The resignation comes after sustained protests over the NEET paper leak, with the CJP repeatedly demanding the Education Minister’s removal
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday amid the ongoing NEET paper leak controversy and sustained protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Announcing his decision on X, Pradhan said he had stepped down in the larger national interest to ensure students remain focused on their education and to prevent the situation from being exploited.
“To ensure that anti-national elements are not benefitted by the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, students in India do not get tangled in legal complexities and focus on their studies and their career, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister,” he wrote.
The resignation comes after days of demonstrations by the CJP, which had made Pradhan’s removal its primary demand following the NEET paper leak controversy.
CJP had warned of tougher agitation
Earlier in the day, CJP leaders warned that the organisation would intensify its agitation if the government failed to clarify its stand on the Education Minister’s resignation.
Speaking to reporters, CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka said discussions with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh had yielded progress on issues such as compensation and legal matters, but there had been no breakthrough on the party’s principal demand.
“Yesterday’s meeting yielded a positive response regarding compensation and legal matters. We hope to receive the written agreement today. However, no concrete decision has been taken on our main demand—Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation,” Ranka said.
He added that if the government had no intention of accepting the demand, it should state so clearly instead of continuing discussions.
Ranka also warned that the CJP would be compelled to adopt a “tough stance” if there was no clarity on the issue.
Pradhan’s resignation marks a major political development in the NEET paper leak controversy, with the Centre now expected to announce the next course of action for the Education Ministry.
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