Student unions erupted in celebration following reports of the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gathering at Lenin Centre in Vijayawada. They hailed the resignation as a victory for the student movement and celebrated what they described as the success of the students’ agitation at Jantar Mantar. Leaders and activists raised slogans and reaffirmed their commitment to continue the struggle until their broader demands for reforms in the education sector were met.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) State president P. Rammohan and State secretary K. Prasanna Kumar saluted every student, youth, and democratic force that fought relentlessly until the Union Education Minister was compelled to resign. “This is a historic victory achieved through the unity and determination of students. The movement has once again demonstrated that no government or ruler is invincible before the collective strength of an organised student community,” they said.
They said the student movement that continued over the past two months had shaken the arrogance of the Narendra Modi government. “We particularly appreciate the leadership of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and all progressive student organisations for playing a pivotal role in transforming students’ anger into a peaceful yet powerful democratic movement across the country,” they said.
The SFI leaders demanded the immediate abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which they claimed was responsible for a series of failures that allegedly claimed the lives of more than 20 students. They further demanded complete justice for the students and their families who suffered due to examination irregularities and administrative failures.
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) State secretary Ramanna said the resistance would continue until every student in the country was guaranteed equal, fair and inclusive access to education.
“The student movement has shattered the perception that Gen Z is a passive generation absorbed in mobile phones and indifferent to the world around them. Their sustained protests have caught politicians off guard, demonstrating that the country’s youth is politically aware, organised, and prepared to hold those in power accountable,” said Nitta Swarnalatha, an advocate from Andhra Pradesh High Court, participating in the victory celebrations.
“The CJP movement has sent a strong message that governments can no longer act with impunity or ignore public concerns, as an awakened generation is ready to question, challenge and demand accountability for every action,” said Meghana Reddy, a student. She said she had come to the protest venue to demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister, but was delighted to find that the demonstration had transformed into a victory celebration following the Minister’s resignation. She described it as a significant moment for the student movement, claiming that the resignation reflected the strength of sustained and united student protests.
