Story perspectives

Education Minister Pradhan resigns after exam paper leak protests

7/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 after protests over a leaked exam paper.
Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party protesters gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding his resignation.
Police used tear gas and baton charges on July 20, injuring dozens of students.
Authorities restricted internet access and closed 18 Delhi metro stations on July 25.
Pradhan posted on X that he resigned to respect the youth’s aspirations and expectations.

History

Historical Context

In January-February 1974, Gujarat’s Nav Nirman movement—driven by students and middle-class groups protesting fee hikes and corruption—forced Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel to resign after weeks of strikes and a statewide curfew. A parallel Bihar student uprising, led by the Bihar Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti, saw 326 students arrested on 3 January and the assembly gheraoed, illustrating how student agitation can compel cabinet turnover.

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Story summary

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 after protests over a leaked exam paper.
Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party protesters gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding his resignation.
Police used tear gas and baton charges on July 20, injuring dozens of students.
Authorities restricted internet access and closed 18 Delhi metro stations on July 25.
Pradhan posted on X that he resigned to respect the youth’s aspirations and expectations.

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