AGARTALA:Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post following sustained student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy, triggering celebrations among agitating students at the Circuit House area in Agartala.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigned additional charge of the Education Ministry to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Pradhan had faced days of nationwide protests demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak issue.
In Agartala, students who had been protesting at the Circuit House for several days broke into celebration on receiving news of the resignation, with many expressing relief and calling it a victory for their movement.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had spearheaded a prolonged agitation on the issue, is reported to have engaged in talks with the Centre following the development, with assurances on withdrawal of cases against protesters and compensation for affected families under discussion.
Local reaction in Agartala has largely welcomed the resignation, with several student groups terming it a step toward accountability.