Dharmendra Pradhan Resignation Sparks Jubilant Celebrations at Jantar Mantar After NEET Protests

As news of the resignation broke, the atmosphere at Jantar Mantar turned jubilant, with protesters cheering, dancing, singing and waving Indian flags under yellow canopies. After weeks of sustained nationwide protests, Pradhan sent his official resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced the decision publicly on X.

Celebrations begin at Jantar Mantar! pic.twitter.com/3cTeEuW2eJ

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Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), posted a video on Instagram capturing the moment he received the news. The three-minute clip begins with Dipke taking a phone call as the crowd around him erupts in cheers. He then picks up the microphone and announces, "We have done it!", prompting loud applause and raised fists from the gathering.

Addressing the crowd, which consisted largely of young students, Dipke said resignations do not come easily under this administration but that the development proved otherwise. He added, "jhukti hai duniya, jhukane wala chahiye" (the world bows when you make it bow).

Dipke then read aloud, one by one, the names of students who died after the NEET paper leak, referring to a poster he held before the gathering. He said the students listed were those whose lives and futures had been severely affected by the paper leak controversy.

Negotiations between the CJP and the Centre had remained deadlocked over the demand for Pradhan's resignation. On Saturday morning, the CJP had made it clear that there could be no discussions if the government refused to sack Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protesters had put forward three key demands: the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, no legal action against student protesters, and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after the NEET paper leak. The Centre had assured the CJP on the latter two demands during Friday but had remained silent on the demand for Pradhan's resignation.

While addressing the gathering, Dipke dedicated the milestone to the collective power of peaceful resistance. However, he stressed that the celebrations would remain measured until the remaining demands, including compensation for the families of affected students and an end to police action against protesters, were fully met.