The Indian federal education minister has resigned following five weeks of widespread student-led protests in New Delhi. The demonstrations, which centered at Jantar Mantar, were organized by the Cockroach Janata Party, founded by 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke, and drew participants from across the country. In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a reform of the national examination system.
The protests have been marked by significant tension between demonstrators and law enforcement. Authorities recently suspended a police officer in an eastern state after he fired an AK-47 assault rifle into the air to disperse a group of student protesters. While the minister’s resignation is viewed by many young participants as a rare political setback for the Modi government, protesters have signaled that they intend to continue their advocacy, viewing the recent policy changes as only the beginning of their movement.
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