Indian Government Rejects Calls for Education Minister's Resignation

The Indian government has rejected demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a month of student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party. Government officials stated that removing Pradhan would be running away from responsibility, though the administration has taken several punitive measures in response to the NEET paper leak controversy.

Administrative actions include the termination of 47 National Testing Agency officials and the replacement of the education secretary. The Union Cabinet also approved a draft bill to increase penalties for paper leaks to 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rs 10 crore. In talks held on July 24, government representatives indicated in-principle approval to provide Rs 1 crore in compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who committed suicide and agreed to withdraw legal cases against protesting students.

Supporting the central government, Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Avinash Gehlot accused the Indian National Congress of politicizing the issue. Gehlot claimed the BJP government conducted approximately 350 exams in Rajasthan without a single leak since taking office, contrasting this with alleged leaks during previous Congress governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised tougher action against leak rackets and the establishment of fast-track courts to address the crisis.