Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation sparks celebrations, tricolour march at Jantar Mantar

Celebrations broke out at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET paper leak controversy with protesters dancing waving the national flag and chanting patriotic slogansThe demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party CJP turned into a celebration as supporters hugged each other raised slogans of Vande Mataram and hailed the resignation as a victory for the studentled agitationProtesters celebrate with tricolours and patriotic songsAs news of the resignation spread protesters gathered at the demonstration site waving the tricolour and dancing to the patriotic song Chak De IndiaMany participants also held portraits and posters of Dr BR Ambedkar describing the ministers resignation as the outcome of sustained democratic protests over alleged examination irregularitiesSecurity arrangements remained in place at the protest venue as celebrations continuedDipke says resignation reflects power of democratic protestAddressing the gathering CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the resignation demonstrated the strength of peaceful public movementsThey used to say that this government does not see resignations We say the world bends if there is someone who can make it bend he told the gatheringThe remarks were greeted with loud cheers from supporters assembled at Jantar MantarCJP says protest will continueDespite describing the resignation as a significant development Dipke said the agitation would continue until the remaining demands were addressedHe demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the examination controversy and called for action against police personnel over their conduct during the protests on July 20Referring to remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant Dipke saidIf you had not called us cockroaches I would not have returned to India If you had not called us cockroaches the youth of the country would not have come out on the streets If you had not called us cockroaches Dharmendra Pradhans resignation would not have happenedThe statement drew applause from the crowd as celebrations continuedPradhan cites responsibility in resignationEarlier in the day Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet stating that the alleged NEET paper leak was not a matter of individual prestige and that he had accepted responsibility for the issue from the very beginningIn his resignation letter Pradhan said he was stepping down to safeguard students interests preserve national unity and ensure that the ongoing agitation was not exploited by antinational forcesWhile protesters welcomed the resignation as a major milestone CJP leaders reiterated that their movement would continue until their remaining demands including examination reforms and compensation for affected families are addressedWIth inputs from PTI