Indian education minister resigns after mass protests

Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he had resigned, handing a major victory to youth protesters nationwide who had demanded that he quit to take responsibility for examination paper leaks.

The minister announced his resignation on X just as police fired tear gas to scatter young protesters in New Delhi, hours before their leaders were set to ‌hold another round ⁠of talks with ministers.

"Considering the situation that has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation... I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime Minister," ‌Mr Pradhan wrote in his post.

"I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, and legitimate expectations of the ⁠country's youth."

Cheers erupted among the thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ‌who have been rallying in central Delhi and elsewhere as ⁠the news ‌spread.

Federal authorities had restricted access to the internet and to 18 metro stations to try to limit the protest in the capital.

Anger has boiled ⁠over since Monday when police injured many students, launching baton charges ⁠and firing tear gas to deter crowds of protesters marching on parliament.

The protests, led largely by young people and triggered by discontent over leaks of question papers for high-stakes entrance exams, reflect anger over job scarcity, corruption and government accountability.