Resignation of Education Minister Accepted Amid NEET Controversy
Resignation Accepted and New Responsibilities Assigned
Following the Prime Minister's recommendation, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Additionally, the President has directed that Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi be assigned the Education Ministry along with his current departments. The official statement reiterated, "On the advice of the Prime Minister, President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Furthermore, the President has instructed that Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi be given charge of the Education Ministry in addition to his existing responsibilities."
CJP Ends Protests After Minister's Resignation
Earlier, the Cockroach People's Party (CJP) announced the end of their 36-day protest regarding the NEET controversy after the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the government's agreement to meet all their demands. The CJP stated that both parties would reconvene in four weeks to work on comprehensive reforms in the examination system. CJP spokesperson Sourav Ghosh declared the immediate cessation of protests across the country, emphasizing that in addition to Pradhan's resignation, the government agreed to provide 'respectable' compensation to the families of candidates who allegedly committed suicide over the NEET issue and to withdraw cases against protesters in BJP-ruled states, including Delhi.
CJP's Assurance for Timely Implementation
During a joint press conference with government negotiators, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Ghosh stated, "CJP announces the withdrawal of the movement with the assurance that the agreed conditions will be implemented within the stipulated timeframe." The CJP had demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET question paper leak, compensation of one crore rupees for the families of candidates who allegedly took their lives following the NEET controversy, and the withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters involved in the 'Parliament Chalo' march on March 20. This announcement came after Pradhan's resignation was confirmed during a meeting at the Constitution Club with representatives from the central government.