Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, July 25: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) celebrated after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his position amid the organisation’s ongoing protest. The party, which had been demanding his resignation over allegations related to NEET question paper leaks and irregularities in the education sector, described the development as a victory for its movement.

Reacting to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, CJP founder and president Abhijit Deep said that the decision proved that people could achieve results if they remained fearless and continued to raise their voices against the government.

"Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. This resignation proves that if you are not afraid and do not bow down before this government, then we can make anyone resign," Abhijit Deep said.

The CJP continued its protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. As soon as the news of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation spread among the protesters, supporters and activists celebrated the decision. The protesters described the resignation as an outcome of their sustained pressure and agitation.

In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his sadness over the developments of the past 10 days. He wrote that the youth power of the country was its greatest strength and said that his main commitment was to ensure that the younger generation did not get trapped in confusion or uncertainty.

"The events of the last 10 days have left me deeply saddened. The youth power of the country is the real strength. My only resolve is to ensure that this youth power does not get trapped in any confusion," Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in his resignation message.

However, despite celebrating the resignation, the CJP made it clear that it would continue its protest until its remaining demands were fulfilled. Abhijit Deep said that the resignation of the Education Minister was only one part of their demands and that the movement would not end immediately.

"There is no reason to be afraid. This is democracy. He has resigned, but we still have two more demands. We will not simply leave like this," Abhijit Deep said.

The CJP leader demanded financial compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid controversies related to examinations and educational issues. He said that the families affected by such tragedies must receive compensation and that the demand was non-negotiable.

"Our first demand is that the families of those children who committed suicide must be given compensation of Rs 1 crore each. They must get this amount," he said.

The second demand raised by the CJP was action against police officials who allegedly behaved aggressively during the protest on July 20. Abhijit Deep accused some police personnel of acting like "goons" and demanded strict action against those officers.

"Secondly, action must be taken against those police officials who behaved like goons on the 20th. They must be held accountable. Remember, do not try to challenge us," Abhijit Deep said.

The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan has intensified the political debate surrounding the education sector and the protests over alleged irregularities in examinations. While the CJP has claimed the resignation as a success of its movement, the government’s response to the remaining demands is now being closely watched.

The protest movement at Jantar Mantar is expected to continue as the organisation has maintained that it will not withdraw its agitation until the compensation demand and action against the police officials are addressed.