‘Waiting on the remaining demands’: CJP after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the post of education minister is a “victory for democracy”, said Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who proceed to read the names of all 20 students who had died after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test’s paper leaked. “This is for them,” he said, adding that the resignation shows that sustained public protests can force accountability.

CJP says more demands remain after Pradhan's resignation

Pradhan resigned after weeks of nationwide protests, which began with the demand for accountability for the NEET UG paper leak and other irregularities, but ballooned into a massive expression of youth dissatisfaction and dissent. Although a key demand of the protesters – Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation – has been met, CJP is still not done. Its “demand roster” has been updated.

Along with the Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of every student who died and restraint for protesting students at demonstrations, the CJP now demands “a public apology from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police” – a reference to the brutal crackdown on protesters, with tear gas, water cannons, pellet guns, and batons, since Monday. The police action brought still more protesters to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and made heroes out of ordinary citizens in Mumbai. CJP’s post said, "Jantar Mantar and entire country is still waiting on the rest of the demands”.

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Kejriwal, Sibal welcome Pradhan's resignation

Reacting to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X, "Congratulations to the entire country on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Big win for democracy."

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also reacted to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, questioning the cost of the protests. In a post on X, he wrote, "Congratulations. Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. At what cost," before referring to the alleged police action against protesters. He said peaceful protesters were "lathicharged", "suffered injuries", had "pellets embedded in eyes", and "went on a hunger strike for 23 days". "Who pays for this!" Sibal asked.

Rahul Gandhi congratulates protesting students

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi welcomed Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, calling it "a huge step towards reshaping our education system". In a post on X, Gandhi congratulated students who participated in the protests, saying, "Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you."

He further said, "Heartiest congratulations to every young person, every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution, and their future." Gandhi added that "2 demands still remain" — "the Prime Minister should apologise while respecting the students and India's future, and action should be taken against those guilty of violence against students."

Addressing other sections of society, Gandhi said, "For other sections of society—farmers, laborers, the poor, every person whom this government has suppressed and crushed—true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional manner for one's dignity." He concluded his post by saying, "The time has come to remove this government. Don't be afraid!"

Also read NEET protest 2026 exposes an education system grooming students for ‘one rat race after another’

Tharoor says accountability must continue

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was "an acknowledgment that accountability in a democracy cannot be indefinitely evaded". In a post on X, Tharoor said the resignation came after "weeks of determined, peaceful voices raised by students, parents and citizens across the country who refused to be ignored."

Referring to the police action during the protests, Tharoor said, "far too many young Indians faced unnecessary police brutality and force for exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest", adding that "should concern every citizen, regardless of political affiliation."

He further said, "Accountability does not end with a resignation. The deeper failures that brought us here must now be addressed through transparent reforms, institutional responsibility and a commitment to ensuring that no young Indian's future is jeopardised again." Tharoor added that "the students who marched, spoke out and peacefully persisted deserve to know that this is the beginning of reform, not the end of the story."

Siddaramaiah says resignation is a victory for students

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah welcomed Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, calling it "a victory for the country's alert students and youth". In a post on X, he said, "This is a victory for democracy and the Constitution," and congratulated students who participated in the protests.

He, however, said Pradhan's resignation alone would not resolve the issues in the education sector, adding that "the resignation of the education minister will not resolve all the problems in the education sector."

KC Venugopal says protests forced Pradhan's resignation

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was a "victory for India's youth". In a post on X, he claimed, "Your power forced the incompetent, corrupt, and guilty Dharmendra Pradhan to resign!"

Venugopal said the Congress and the Opposition had been demanding Pradhan's resignation since the NEET paper leak. He added that the party would continue to seek reforms in the education sector, saying, "Our movement for reforms in the education sector will continue."

Also read CJP Protest: Draft amendment to paper-leak law proposes 5-fold increase in fines, 10-year imprisonment

Kiran Bedi calls for education reforms

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation offers the education ministry "an opportunity not to be lost". In a post on X, she urged the leadership to "identify all that needs to be corrected" and keep "your doors open to listening and improving".

She also said the government should remain "sensitive to needs and expectations of the people", particularly the youth, and focus on "effective and sensitive governance".

Kharge calls resignation a victory for students

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was "the victory of our millions of youth who raised their voices on the streets across the country to fix the education system". In a post on X, he also described it as "the victory of the united opposition".

Kharge further said it was now "Modi's turn to apologise to our young generation" and sought action against those responsible for the alleged police action on student protesters.

Also read FAIMA seeks early Supreme Court hearing, resumption of NEET SS counselling

Prakash Raj congratulates protesters

Actor Prakash Raj also reacted to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. In a post on X, he congratulated the protesters, writing, "Congratulations... every single one who stood by the youth. You have proved that you can bring a regime down to its knees."