Story perspectives

Education Minister Resigns Amid Exam Leak Protests, Police Crackdown

8/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 after youth protests over exam leaks.
The Cockroach Janata Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, organized a 26-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
On July 20 over 50,000 marched to Parliament, prompting police to use tear-gas, batons, pellet and water-cannon fire.
The government formed a review panel and passed a July 29 Bill, while the Supreme Court on August 3 eased FIR withdrawals and set pellet-gun protocols.

History

Historical Context

The 1990 Mandal Commission protests, sparked by V. P. Singh’s 27% OBC reservation and Rajiv Goswami’s self-immolation on 19 September, revived in 2006 when students and doctors opposed the same quota in premier institutes. Echoing those movements, Sonam Wangchuk’s Cockroach Janata Party staged a July 2026 hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding accountability for the NEET leak.

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Story summary

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25 after youth protests over exam leaks.
The Cockroach Janata Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, organized a 26-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
On July 20 over 50,000 marched to Parliament, prompting police to use tear-gas, batons, pellet and water-cannon fire.
The government formed a review panel and passed a July 29 Bill, while the Supreme Court on August 3 eased FIR withdrawals and set pellet-gun protocols.

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