Dharmendra Pradhan resignation LIVE Updates: Pralhad Joshi named Education Minister; CJP warns ‘Youth are watching’

On being given the additional charge of the Education Ministry, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, "...I accept this responsibility with a sense of duty and humility. I am thankful to the Prime Minister. In the last 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, many historic achievements have been made. In the last four to five years, Dharmendra Pradhan also implemented the National Education Policy, and several important initiatives were undertaken. The country has made significant progress in the new education system. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will work to the best of my ability and fulfil my responsibilities with dedication"

Actor Alia Bhatt was among the first Bollywood celebrities to react after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following weeks of student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

Soon after the announcement, several Bollywood personalities took to social media to comment on the protests and acknowledge the role played by young people. Sharing her reaction on Instagram Stories, the Raazi actor praised the younger generation, writing, "Gen Z showed up! The rest is history."

Veteran Indian wrestler and three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat hailed the youth of the country, calling them the 'force that shapes the future' following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak row, saying that 'democracy won and fear lost.'

Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, saying that he wanted to ensure that the protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."

In a post on X, Vinesh Phogat praised the youth-led movement, saying it reflected the nation's spirit and highlighted the courage of young protesters. She said the youth, guided by faith in the Constitution, emerged as powerful voices despite attempts to intimidate them.

"Yeh aandolan ne humein bataya ki desh ki aatma abhi bhi jaag rahi hai. Yuva sirf bheed nahi hote, woh bhavishya ki disha tay karne wali shakti hote hain. Sadkon par khade un bachchon ne humein sahas ka asli arth samjhaya. Haathon mein phool, dilon mein Samvidhan par vishwas tha. Jinhe daraane ki koshish ki gayi, wahi sabse oonchi awaaz bankar ubhre," she said. (This movement showed us that the soul of the nation is still alive. The youth are not merely a crowd; they are the force that shapes the future. Those young people standing on the streets taught us the true meaning of courage. With flowers in their hands, and faith in the Constitution in their hearts--those whom attempts were made to intimidate emerged as the loudest voices.)

Vinesh Phogat said those who endured hardships during the movement remained steadfast, adding that the struggle would be remembered as a moment when people refused to stay silent. She said the outcome showed that "democracy won and fear lost."

"Jin par laathiyan chali, unhone umeed nahi chhodi. Yaad rakha jayega har woh din, jab nyaay ki maang ko dabaane ki koshish hui. Aur yaad rakhi jayegi woh peedhi, jisne chup rehne se inkaar kar diya. Khushi is baat ki hai ki sangharsh vyarth nahi gaya. Loktantra jeet gaya... aur darr haar gaya," she added. (Those who faced the lathis did not give up hope. Every day will be remembered when attempts were made to suppress the demand for justice. And that generation will be remembered--the one that refused to remain silent. The joy lies in the fact that the struggle did not go in vain. Democracy won... and fear lost.)

The resignation of Pradhan came after weeks of nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and a 26-day hunger strike led by Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar. The agitation was spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been demanding accountability over alleged paper leaks.

On July 20, the group organised a 'Sansad Chalo' march from Jantar Mantar to the Parliament, during which instances of laathi charge and tear gas shelling were reported to disperse the huge crowd gathered in central Delhi.

– ANI

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Saturday stated Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was “just the beginning”, further claiming that more such resignations would follow.

"Pradhan's resignation is just a beginning. A series of resignations would follow soon, as the entire government is involved in malpractices. Every department is knee-deep in corruption and irregularities. Let us see how fast the ministers exit the Union cabinet," JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya told reporters, as per HT.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Saturday warned newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi that "the youth are watching," urging the government to implement the outfit's five-point education reform charter and prevent future examination paper leaks after the organisation called off its 37-day agitation following assurances from the Centre.

Speaking to ANI after Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry, Das said the nationwide movement had demonstrated that young people would continue to demand accountability from those in power.

"Our concerns and demands have been addressed. Those demands resonated with the youth across the country, which is why this movement gained nationwide support. Whoever becomes the Education Minister should know that the youth are watching. They will demand accountability. So, when the time comes, work in the interest of the youth. Stop paper leaks and implement our five-point recommendations outlined in the demand charter. We will meet the new Education Minister very soon. The government has promised to hold a meeting within a month, and then we will see what happens," Das said.

— ANI

Seeking to amend a two-year-old anti-paper leak law, a bill that proposes to set up fast-track courts in every state for speedy trials of accused and enhances punishment is set for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Terming the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan a "historic victory" for agitating students, CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby on Saturday stated that the youth ultimately compelled the now former Union Minister to yield to public pressure after trying to avoid accountability for months.

Karnataka Home Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Saturday launched a scathing attack at the centre, saying that the youth was demonised, accused of receiving foreign funding, and infamously referred to as "cockroaches" who should be sprayed with insecticide.

Addressing a press conference, Kharge said that the Central government has finally woken up from a "deep slumber" three months after the irregularities came to light. He

"The government has finally woken up from its deep slumber after three months. The NEET examination was conducted on May 3. On May 18, the authorities officially admitted that the question paper had been leaked. A re-examination was held on June 23. By then, many students had already secured admission to B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses. 21 students have died by suicide, and hundreds have taken to the streets in protest," he said.

Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday urged Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke to visit the state and help dislodge the BJP-led government headed by Samrat Choudhary.

Yadav, who floated Janshakti Janata Dal after his father Lalu Prasad's RJD expelled him, made the appeal on social media, shortly after the CJP called off its protest in Delhi following the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.

"I, Tej Pratap Yadav, make this special appeal to Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, that he come immediately to the land of Bihar," said the mercurial leader, who, incidentally, had ended up being detained by police earlier in the day for supporting a bandh called by Left-wing students' unions.

Yadav voiced concern over "current political situation" in the state to underscore the need for a "robust and strong people's movement" that could "uproot and throw out the government of Samrat Choudhary".

Yadav, who tagged CJP as well as Choudhary and the BJP's Bihar unit in the post, also promised "full and unwavering support of my Janshakti Janata Dal.... in this fight for change".

Meanwhile, a video has gone viral in which Dipke can be seen telling an attendee at the Jantar Mantar protests that he intends to visit Patna, which had earlier this week witnessed a fierce agitation by students who took to the streets in support of the CJP's stir.

In the short video clip, a young woman can be seen requesting Dipke to visit Bihar, where "an uneducated Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is ruining the education system".

In reply, Dipke said, "I assure you that once we are through with the ongoing protests, the next event of Cockroach Janata Party shall be held in Patna."

– PTI

logue are the only ways to address public grievances after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called off the agitation in the wake of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Speaking to reporters in Ahilyanagar, the 89-year-old activist recalled his own history of civil agitation to emphasise that lasting systemic change comes through conversation rather than confrontation.

Underlining that public interest must always take precedence, Hazare highlighted his lifelong commitment to satyagraha:

"Any issue gets resolved through dialogue. Dialogue leads to solutions. Creating tension and going down the wrong path will not solve anything. Dialogue is the most crucial thing. I have conducted 22 hunger strikes, but I never resorted to violence. Things should be resolved through the medium of dialogue. The welfare of society, whatever is right should be done."

"I did 22 fasts, never used violence, and because of that, 10 laws were enacted. This is essential; creating violence is not right. Whoever the person may be, one should never indulge in violence," he added.

Emphasising that governments must listen to the voice of the citizens, Hazare noted that democratic avenues are designed to ensure public welfare:

"One has to see what the public is saying. For the public's welfare, even if we have to step forward, there's no harm in it. But public interest must happen. Issues are never resolved by violence but by dialogue among people."

"Whatever happens through democracy happens. One should always follow the path of democracy," he added.

– ANI

After the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) withdrew its protest from Jantar Mantar, spokesperson Saurav Das on Saturday said that the outfit will continue to raise the youth's issues.

Meanwhile, the CJP has withdrawn their agitation, saying the decision was taken in "good faith" as the government agreed to its demands. Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the education minister following over a month-long protest across the nation.

Das told reporters, "Democracy has been restored. Democracies demand accountability, answerability. The youth of the country are the future; they have been able to restore it. This is a major victory. The youth of the country have withdrawn from this agitation; however, please stop the manner in which you govern by doing anti-Muslim, anti-Christian politics. Please work for the welfare of every community, including the students; only then will you have people's trust."

"This is just a trailer. The picture is still to come. The youth of the country have awakened. The youth of the country will solve all the problems in this country. As a party, as a movement, this is obviously not ending. Now we will go across the country, listen to the youth, bring the best policies for them, and continue to demand accountability from everyone. This is just the beginning. There is much more to be done," he added.

He said that Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was the first step towards accountability in the education sector, and warned that if the system is not improved, the youth will return in larger numbers.

"We had demanded a compensation of ₹1 crore; the government has agreed on an honourable compensation. Our endeavour is that the families get the relief. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is the first step; if the system is not improved, the youth will come back in larger numbers. People have been beaten. We have demanded an FIR against police officials who did so, and we will work towards it," he said.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka also said that the CJP will keep raising the youth's issues across India.

"The youth of the country have awakened and reclaimed the nation. A struggle of 37-days; the youth of this country fought for its rights. Our demands have been accepted, and we are thinking about those families who lost their near and dear ones. We are thinking about lakhs of students whose future got destroyed due to the paper leaks. We really hope that some justice has been served today. We hope the next minister is accountable and will work with integrity. This is a platform made for the youth and will keep raising the youth's issues. We will take ourselves (CJP) across the nation and organise, and will raise other issues as well. We will work for the youth of the country and do whatever it takes," Ashutosh Ranka said.

– ANI

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India.

Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio," the Rashtrapati Bhavan press communique statement said.

Pralhad Joshi named new Union Education Minister, according to ANI. The President has accepted Pradhan's resignation.

Jubilant scenes erupted at Jantar Mantar on Saturday as protesting students, youth leaders, and participants celebrated the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after weeks of demonstrations over examination paper leaks.

As the celebrations continued, authorities began overseeing the winding down of the demonstration, urging protesters to disperse peacefully, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reopened all entry and exit gates at nearby stations to facilitate their movement.

Chants of "Hum Jeet Gaye" (We have won) echoed through the historic protest site, marking a dramatic climax to weeks of mounting public outrage and agitations over examination paper leaks and systemic flaws in national competitive tests.

For many, the moment was deeply personal. Among those was Rajesh Thapa, father of late NEET-UG aspirant Riya Thapa, who lost her life to the mental toll of the examination uncertainty. Holding on to the memory of his daughter, he spoke to PTI about why he chose to stand alongside the student community.

"Children are fighting for their rights, if my daughter were here, she might have joined them too. I thought to myself, since she isn't here, I should go in her place, so that nothing like this ever happens to anyone else's child," Thapa said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Commenting on the minister's stepping down and withdrawal of the protest, he said "It is a victory for the children, a victory for everyone. If accountability had been taken right when the paper leak first surfaced, the children's trust in the system would have stayed intact. Maybe then, those who took such extreme steps later would have been saved."

Organisations leading the agitations viewed the resignation as a vital first step, though they maintained that structural reforms remain crucial.

"Our demands were not radical but basic, and the government has now accepted them," said Saurav Das of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP).

Student unions who participated in the protest echoed a similar sentiment, promising that the broader movement for educational accountability would go on. Bheem Kumar, a member of the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) who participated in the demonstration, emphasized that the struggle is far from over.

"Till now, only one major demand has been accepted. The fight for a transparent and better education system will continue," Kumar noted, emphasizing that the focus must now shift toward overhaul and policy guarantees.

As news of the resignation spread, authorities moved quickly to ensure an orderly wind-down of the demonstration. Special CP, Law and Order Devesh Chandra Srivastava said senior officers were overseeing the site to ensure students disperse without incident.

"We are keeping a close watch on the dispersal. We request everyone to stay calm and return home peacefully," Srivastava said, adding that the force was hopeful people would understand, cooperate, and maintain peace.

Shortly after the withdrawal announcement, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that all entry and exit gates at nearby metro stations had been reopened to facilitate smooth movement for departing protesters.

Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country for his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy.

He said it is not a matter of "individual prestige" for him and he is disturbed to see the series of events that have unfolded in the last 10 days.

Pradhan's resignation came a day after the Centre announced measures to address concerns over examination irregularities. These measures included a proposed law prescribing stringent punishment for paper leak involvement and establishing fast-track courts for speedy trials.

– PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X and mentioned Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister after taking into account the sentiments of the country's youth and students. He said the decision reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's commitment to respecting students' concerns and ensuring a brighter future for them.

Singh stated, “Taking into account the sentiments of the youth and students, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his position. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is a testament to the fact that for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and our government, respecting the sentiments of our students and youth and our commitment to their bright future is paramount.”

The concerns in the minds of students regarding the NEET examination, paper leaks, and necessary reforms in the education system are being addressed with complete seriousness and sensitivity.

Listening to the concerns of students with gravity, ensuring their resolution, and instilling in them the confidence that their voice will be heard and all their problems will be resolved—this is our priority.

I am confident that now our youth and students will focus with full confidence on their studies, their dreams, and their aspirations, and will make a significant contribution to building a strong, prosperous, and developed India.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji's tenure as a Union Minister has been emblematic of his dedication to the resolve of making India a developed nation. His contribution to public life has been inclusive, visionary, and aligned with the aspirations of a new India."

“Amit Shah directly responsible for violence against students, authorising use of lethal weapons, pellet guns,” Rahul Gandhi said, as per PTI.

“Entry gates of all Metro Stations of the Delhi Metro network are now open,” DMRC said after CJP stir ended following Pradhan's resignation.

The United Nations has said it is "aware" of the students' demonstrations in New Delhi and that it is important that people wishing to protest peacefully be allowed to do so without any fear of harassment, arrest or injury.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, responding to a question on Friday about the UN's position on the youth-led protests in India, said, "We're obviously very much aware of the protests that we've seen in New Delhi."

"It is important that people wishing to protest peacefully be allowed to do so without the fear of harassment, the fear of arrest, or the fear of injury," said Dujarric.

Addressing a press briefing, he said it is incumbent on security forces, "there as it is everywhere," to ensure that those rights are protected.

The briefing covered a range of global issues that included concerns about seafarers, tensions in the Middle East and climate change, and also addressed questions about candidates for the post of the next secretary-general of the UN.

India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of protests over exam paper leaks.

The protests were spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) - a satirical collective that turned into a national movement in weeks.

It started on June 20 in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, with CJP taking up the issue of the NEET exam paper leak in May, for which around 2 million students had to sit for a retest. There were also reports of students dying by suicide in several states.

– PTI

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray said, "Tomorrow at Shivaji Park, we will come to celebrate the victory of the youngsters. We'll fully support the next step of Abhijeet Dipke"