CJP says protests to continue until all demands are met after minister's resignation
Earlier today, amid the intensifying protests led by the CJP and opposition parties, Pradhan announced his resignation in a post on X, saying he had submitted it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said it would continue its nationwide protests despite the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, insisting the movement would not end until its remaining demands are fulfilled.
Earlier today (25 July), amid the intensifying protests led by the CJP and opposition parties, Pradhan announced his resignation in a post on X, saying he had submitted it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Soon after the announcement, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar that the minister's resignation showed people who refused to be intimidated could achieve their goals.
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He said the party would continue its protest until the government provided Rs1 crore in compensation to the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and took action against police over alleged brutality against protesters during a march to Parliament on 20 July.
"There's no need to be afraid. This is democracy. He has resigned but we have two more demands. We won't go like this," Dipke said.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who observed a 26-day hunger strike in solidarity with the CJP, described Pradhan's resignation as a "victory of democracy, peace, patience and perseverance."
Opposition parties also welcomed the resignation, calling it a "victory of youth power."
In his resignation statement, Pradhan said he stepped down "considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country" to prevent "anti-national forces" from taking advantage of the unrest, preserve national unity and ensure students could focus on their studies.
"Watching the events of the last 10 days has saddened me. This is not a matter of personal reputation for me. The youth power of India is the real strength of this country," he wrote.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra welcomed the resignation of Pradhan and said the government had to bend before the youth and students of India.
"The youth did not bend; the government had to bend. It is a victory for the youth and students of India. I was really and truly happy when I heard the news. I even got a bit emotional," she told reporters in her parliamentary constituency Wayanad in Kerala.
