India Education Minister Resigns Amid Youth Protests

More than a month of youth-led protests in the Indian capital, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a series of examination paper leaks, have failed to dislodge the minister. The protests represent the biggest public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule so far in his third term, Al Jazeera reported. They were sparked by the cancellation of the national medical entrance test, NEET, over a high-profile alleged leak, a move that affected 2.3 million aspiring doctors, The Independent reported.

Soon after, serious flaws were exposed in the online grading system for school-leaving exams taken by millions of students. Pradhan, one of the most senior figures in Modi's government, has refused to step down. In an interview with NDTV, quoted by The Independent, he called the protesters 'those who were rejected in the democracy' and said they 'have come in disguise and are now after the system'.

He added that 'some people did not have faith in the country's progress' and alleged the movement was a 'B-team of terrorists'. Dipke's comments referenced reports that at least 12 prospective students died by suicide between the cancellation of the medical exam in May and the retakes on 21 June, according to The Independent. On Monday, more than 100 people were severely wounded in baton and tear gas attacks by police on protesters, Al Jazeera reported.

On Friday, protest leaders said the government had asked for time until Saturday afternoon to respond to their demand for Pradhan's resignation, following talks with two ministers, Reuters reported. The talks came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes of a breakthrough. India's main opposition parties have joined the daily street demonstrations and courted arrests, amplifying the demand for Pradhan's sacking, Al Jazeera reported.

Opposition leaders have also called for accountability for those who allegedly beat protesters in Delhi, and the protests have disrupted parliamentary proceedings, according to Al Jazeera. The only resignation in response to public demand for accountability came in 2021, when Health Minister Harsh Vardhan quit amid criticism of the government's pandemic response.