Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 25: Educator, innovator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday described the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a "victory of democracy", saying it reflected the power of peaceful public participation and sustained civic action.
In a post on X, Wangchuk hailed the development as a success for direct democracy driven by ordinary citizens. He congratulated members of the Citizens for Justice Platform (CJP), the country's youth, particularly Generation Z, and people across India for standing up fearlessly in support of accountability. Stressing that the movement should now shift its focus, he said the next priority must be meaningful reforms in the education system.
Wangchuk had recently concluded a 26-day hunger strike demanding stringent action against recurring examination paper leaks, greater transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations, and the resignation of the Education Minister over repeated irregularities. His fast ended on July 23 at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital after Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh provided written assurances on behalf of the NDA government.
Earlier in the day, Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation, saying the developments surrounding examination irregularities over the past several days had deeply disturbed him. He stated that stepping down was necessary to prevent anti-national elements from exploiting the situation and to safeguard public confidence in the country's examination system.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to students and the education sector while expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support. He maintained that his decision was intended to preserve the integrity of examinations and protect the interests of India's youth.
The resignation follows widespread protests across the country over repeated paper leaks and alleged lapses in the conduct of competitive examinations. Demonstrators had been demanding strict action against those responsible and holding the Education Minister accountable.
The Citizens for Justice Platform (CJP), one of the organisations leading the protests, celebrated the announcement, calling it a major victory for democratic activism. In a post on X, the organisation declared, "Democracy Wins!" while sharing visuals of supporters celebrating after the resignation became public.
Addressing protesters and the media, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the resignation demonstrated that sustained public pressure could bring accountability even at the highest levels of government. Referring to claims that ministers rarely resign, he said the outcome proved that determined citizens could compel change.
Holding a banner displaying photographs of students who allegedly died by suicide following the May 3, 2026 NEET-UG paper leak controversy, Dipke dedicated the moment to their memory. He said the resignation represented justice for students and families affected by the examination crisis.
Dipke urged citizens to continue raising their voices without fear, asserting that democratic institutions function only when people demand accountability from those in power. He said the development underscored the importance of public participation in ensuring responsible governance.