World media on Pradhan’s resignation:BBC says Modi govt bowed to students; The Guardian writes public pressure forces first resignation in 12 years

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar for the past 36 days, demanding his resignation over the NEET paper leak case. The development has received prominent coverage across the world. International media outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, Al Jazeera, and CNN, have featured it among their top stories. Here’s what each foreign media outlet wrote: BBC: Modi government underestimated students’ anger Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has generally taken a hard line against protests and has rarely backed down in the face of major public movements. Previously, the government reversed only one major decision when it repealed the three farm laws after nearly a year of farmers’ protests. This time, the government failed to properly assess the level of anger among students and the movement’s ability to sustain itself over a long period. The protests were ignored for several weeks, but police action against demonstrators marching towards Parliament this week triggered a strong nationwide backlash, significantly increasing pressure on the government. Until the very last moment, it remained uncertain whether a senior Union minister like Dharmendra Pradhan would actually resign. Following his resignation, students involved in the movement—especially those participating in a major protest for the first time—feel they have achieved a significant victory. The Guardian: Resignation of one of Modi’s closest ministers For the first time in the BJP’s 12 years in power, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closest and most trusted ministers has resigned due to public pressure. The movement was led by the newly formed youth political organisation, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and this week it evolved into a large nationwide youth protest. As news of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation spread, thousands of CJP supporters gathered in Delhi erupted in celebration, calling it a major victory for their demand for government accountability. The New York Times: He called protesters the “B-Team of terrorists”; now he has resigned Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned, a move widely seen as a major victory for the student movement. The protests had emerged as one of the biggest challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The movement was led by student groups calling themselves “Cockroaches,” a name inspired by an allegedly derogatory remark by India’s Chief Justice. The organisation had demanded Pradhan’s resignation from the very beginning. Police action against protesters earlier this month helped spread the movement to several cities across India. Initially, Pradhan did not take the protests seriously. On social media, he accused opposition parties of using students to create unrest. In a June interview, he even referred to the student protesters as the “B-Team of terrorists.” Pradhan’s resignation is being viewed as a major success for the student movement and could further strengthen it, encouraging students to intensify pressure on the government over their remaining demands. Al Jazeera: A major victory for the student movement Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday amid the ongoing student protests. The resignation is being seen as a major victory for the nationwide movement. In recent years, the protests have become one of the largest public expressions of dissatisfaction with the Modi government. They have also highlighted growing anger among young people over unemployment, corruption, and government accountability. CNN: Education Minister resigns; CJP says “The fight isn’t over yet” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday, a move widely regarded as a major victory for the student movement. Students had been demanding accountability from the government following allegations of leaks and the sale of medical entrance examination papers. Pradhan decided to resign amid mounting public pressure. Over the past few days, thousands of students and their supporters had taken to the streets, demanding not only his dismissal but also sweeping reforms to India’s examination system. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet publicly announced his acceptance of Pradhan’s resignation.