Amitav ray , New Delhi — In a historic political development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first cabinet departure under intense public pressure during the current administration.
Following the minister’s resignation and explicit government assurances to accept all core demands, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) officially called off its 36-day demonstration at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference following a decisive third round of negotiations between CJP leadership and government representatives, including Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
Key Concessions and Settlement Terms
Addressing the media, CJP spokespersons Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka confirmed that the government had yielded to their central demands.
Beyond the high-profile resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the government agreed to a comprehensive relief package for affected students and protesters.
SUMMARY OF AGREED CJP DEMANDS
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1. Cabinet Resignation : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
2. Legal Immunity : All criminal cases filed against protesters withdrawn.
3. Victim Compensation : Maximum statutory compensation for families of students
who committed suicide due to the NEET paper leak.
4. Future Dialogue : Next formal review meeting scheduled within 4 weeks.
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“The government has accepted our demands. Therefore, we appeal to all protesters to return home peacefully.”
— Sourav Das, CJP Spokesperson
“After 36 days of agitation, the government has accepted all our demands. We call upon everyone to peacefully withdraw from the protest programs.”
— Ashutosh Ranka, CJP Spokesperson
The CJP delegation further revealed that an additional follow-up meeting with government representatives has been scheduled within the next four weeks to oversee the implementation of these pledges.
Pradhan Steps Down to Preserve National Unity
Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation via a post on X (formerly Twitter) just hours ahead of the scheduled talks.
Reflecting on the irregularities surrounding the NEET medical entrance exams held on May 3, Pradhan stated that he took personal responsibility from day one, noting that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was immediately tasked with probing the incident.
“Keeping in mind the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces cannot take advantage, so that the unity of the nation is maintained, and so that no student’s future is entangled in legal hurdles, I have submitted my resignation to the Honorable Prime Minister.”
— Dharmendra Pradhan, Former Union Education Minister
Pradhan expressed deep pain over what he termed as attempts by responsible figures to mislead students, while reiterating his commitment that no “exam mafia” should destroy the future of meritorious candidates.
He concluded his statement by expressing his enduring gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve the nation.
The resolution of the 36-day standoff marks a pivotal moment for student advocacy and legislative oversight in India.
With legal cases against student activists set to be dropped and financial compensation guaranteed for victims’ families, eyes now turn to the upcoming four-week review session to ensure the government honors its structural reform promises.