India’s Education Minister Resigns After “Cockroach” Youth Protests Over Exam Leak

India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned last month after intense pressure from student protesters who called themselves the “Cockroach Janata Party.” The move is being seen as a rare example of democracy in action, as young people forced a government official to step down. The protests erupted after the question paper for the country’s medical school entrance exam was leaked online. Outraged students demanded accountability and reforms. The situation turned tragic when at least 20 young people took their own lives after officials announced a retest. For many, the exam is the only path to a medical career, and the leak—followed by an unexpected retest—added unbearable stress. The protesters, led by the self-styled “Cockroach” group, used the name to mock the government’s perceived indifference. Their slogan was simple: “We are cockroaches, but we will not be crushed.” The resignation of Minister Pradhan marks a significant victory for the student movement, but questions remain over how India’s government will better protect its young people in the future.