Pralhad Joshi takes charge of education ministry a day after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

Union education minister Pralhad Joshi took additional charge of the ministry of education a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post following the Cockroach Jantar Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar and in other parts of the country.

Joshi took to his X account and wrote: “Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education . I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.”

On July 25, the CJP, an online-campaign-turned- student movement , called off its five-week-long protest, demanding fresh reforms and a new face for the education minister’s post.

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

Students' demand from new edu minister Pralhad Joshi

Several students have expressed their demand from the newly-appointed education minister Pralhad Joshi about concrete steps to change the education system, PTI reported.

In the report, a student from Ghaziabad, who was part of the sit-in at Jantar Mantar, said: “"I demand that the new minister focus on the education system. He should bring about changes across the entire system, address its flaws, and ensure it operates effectively."

Another class 11 student said: "Education has become very expensive in this country. The government needs to address this seriously. I am happy that our voices have been heard. I am confident that the new Education minister will not allow incidents like paper leaks to happen again.”

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke , hailed the student protesters' effort and celebrated their triumph, declaring a win for democracy after Pradhan’s exit.

Sonam Wangchuk, an educationist and environmentalist, joined the CJP protest on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike, demanding reforms in the education system and the education minister’s resignation.

In addition, the CJP has launched its official website theprotestrecord.com to gather evidence against the alleged police brutality during the July 20 protest .