India's Education Minister Pradhan resigns over NEET exam irregularities; protesters vow to continue

‘Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a milestone, but not the end’: Protesters vow to continue until all demands are met

Updated - July 25, 2026 06:57 pm IST - HYDERABAD

Siddharth Kumar Singh

Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) activists march in solidarity with the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest to demand the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET exam irregularities, at the Charminar in Hyderabad on Friday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

“The resignation is a victory for the student-youth movement. But, the movement must continue till all our demands are met,” the Hyderabad-based Disha Students’ Organisation said on Saturday, as political representatives, student organisations and civil society groups welcomed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation while asserting that their agitation was far from over.

While describing the Minister’s resignation as a victory for the nationwide student movement, organisations said the protests would continue until their remaining demands are addressed, including the withdrawal of criminal cases against protesters, action against police personnel accused of using excessive force during the July 20 crackdown at Jantar Mantar, and compensation for the families of students, who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak.

Responding to the development, Vijay Mallangi, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), said the resignation was a step in the right direction but should have come much earlier. He said the movement would continue until two key demands are fulfilled: ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and immediate disciplinary action against police personnel accused of using excessive force during the July 20 crackdown on student protesters at Jantar Mantar.

Students and activists participate in a protest demonstration at Indira Park, Hyderabad, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, condemning the alleged action against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and demanding the protection of educational rights | Photo Credit: RAMAKRIASHNA G

In a statement, the Disha Students’ Organisation said the resignation marked a milestone for the student and youth movement but insisted that the agitation would continue until all First Information Reports (FIR) registered against students and youth are withdrawn, police personnel involved in the alleged repression are suspended, and a high-level judicial inquiry is constituted.

The organisation also criticised the former Education Minister for attributing the protests to ‘anti-national elements’, contending that such remarks diverted attention from the concerns raised by students over examination paper leaks and systemic shortcomings in the education system.

Bandru Vimala, Honorary President of the Arunodaya Cultural Federation (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), described the resignation as the outcome of the sustained struggle of students and youth at Jantar Mantar and across the country. Alleging that police used excessive force during the demonstrations, she claimed that some personnel involved in the operation were not wearing nameplates while others were allegedly in plain clothes.

BRS members participate in a BRSV protest at Indira Park in Hyderabad on Friday, July 24, 2026, condemning the Central Government's alleged crackdown on students and youth in Delhi. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

“This is not an ordinary matter,” Ms. Vimala said, adding that the protests had evolved into a broader civic movement with support from various sections of society, including activist Sonam Wangchuk. She said the agitation would continue until accountability is fixed and the remaining demands raised by protesters are fulfilled.

Published - July 25, 2026 06:51 pm IST