From protest to celebration: Mood shifts at Freedom Park as Union Minister Pradhan resigns

Hundreds of students, parents and activists, who were protesting at Freedom Park over the NEET paper leak and crackdown on protesters in New Delhi, broke into celebration after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday.

The protesters chanted slogans and distributed sweets. “The resignation feels like a victory after a long battle. We came up with songs and slogans on the spot and sang together, and everything felt organic,” said Prarthana, a working professional who visited the protest site that by evening turned into a place of celebration. It had, by default, also become a place where old school and college friends renewed contact, she said.

“I have been coming here for the past three days. The aim of the protesters was clear. Today our struggle has won. However, there should be an investigation into the police brutality against the protesters in New Delhi. When the guilty are punished, our struggle will get real justice,” said Shashank, a private college student.

Chinmayee, another student, said that the struggle of Gen-Z was a lesson for the Central and all State governments. “If the governments ignore us, they will have to pay the price. The struggle of CJP should not end here. The next struggle should be against unemployment,” she said.

All India Democratic Student’s Organization (AIDSO), which was part of the protest, called it “an unprecedented victory for the relentless struggle waged by students across the country.”

The united struggle will continue until National Testing Agency (NTA) is abolished and those responsible for the question paper leaks are punished, said Ajay Kamath, State secretary of AIDSO.

Other student organisations like All India Student’s Federation (AISF) and All India Student’s Association (AISA) also urged for larger reforms — abolition of the NTA and protection of public education.

Developmental Educationist V.P. Niranjanaradhya, in a statement, said, “It is a relief that Dharmendra Pradhan has finally bowed to the struggle of the students and youth. This is a great victory. However, it is regrettable that the students had to suffer violence and brutality at the hands of the police.”