Representatives of students protesting in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in university entrance examinations have announced an end to their mobilisation following the resignation of the Education Minister, which had been their central demand.
"We are ending the movement immediately. We call on all demonstrators to return peacefully to their homes," said Asutosh Ranka, a spokesperson for the Cockroach People's Party, which led the protest movement.
The announcement followed the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister in the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after mass youth demonstrations demanding his removal from office.
Pradhan announced his resignation on X after Indian police used tear gas against young protesters in New Delhi and just hours before protest leaders were due to take part in a new round of talks with ministers in the Modi government.
His announcement triggered celebrations on the streets of the Indian capital.
A spokesperson for the Cockroach People's Party, which played a leading role in the protest movement that emerged following another scandal involving leaked questions in national examinations, had earlier said that the minister's resignation would be a positive development, while noting that no official government announcement had yet been made.
