India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid CJP Protest, Party Aligns with Farmers

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified protests over a NEET‑UG paper leak. The resignation fulfilled the CJP's main demand, leading the government to assign additional charge of the education ministry to Pralhad Joshi.

Following the resignation, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka appeared with farmer leader Rakesh Tikait at a Delhi convention, urging students, farmers and youth to "surround the government from all sides". The move signals the group's attempt to broaden its anti‑government platform by linking with established farmer unions.

The Bharatiya Janata Party refuted social‑media claims that Pradhan was offered another cabinet berth, labeling the reports fictitious. In parallel, the government announced a series of exam‑system reforms, including a task force chaired by Infosys co‑founder Nandan Nilekani and proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.