India news: 'Cockroaches' end protest after minister resigns

Key Points:

• India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following weeks of youth-led protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, marking a significant victory for the movement.
• The CJP ended its nationwide protests after government talks, with the group stating all their demands had been accepted, though compensation for student suicides and protection for protesters remain pending.
• Pralhad Joshi, a senior BJP leader, was appointed as the new Education Minister while retaining his existing portfolios, signaling a consolidation of responsibilities amid ongoing education reforms.
• The protests were sparked by a leaked NEET-UG exam paper and the resulting cancellation and rescheduling of the test, which reportedly contributed to at least 20 student suicides, fueling widespread outrage and calls for systemic educational reforms.
• Opposition leaders praised the youth-led movement as a democratic victory and urged continued accountability and transparent reforms, while activists like Sonam Wangchuk highlighted the importance of moving from protest to policy change.