NEW DELHI — The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan marks a historic victory for the students and youth of India, the Communist Party of India (CPI) said on Saturday.
The party said the development is a rare moment of democratic accountability, achieved not through the goodwill of an arrogant government, but through the sustained and determined struggle of students and youth across the country. The student movement, a statement issued by the party said, has defeated the arrogance of the BJP and compelled the Modi-Shah government to answer for its failures.
In its attempt to shield the Pradhan from public accountability, the government resorted to repression against peaceful protesters, the party said. “Students were subjected to lathi charges, tear gas and other coercive measures. Despite this, they displayed remarkable courage and resilience, refusing to be intimidated and continuing their struggle with determination,” the statement said.
The CPI reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs and other cases registered against the protesting students and youth, as well as an unconditional apology from the government for unleashing violence on peaceful demonstrators.
“The education sector has been pushed into a deep crisis by years of paper leaks, reckless privatisation, excessive centralisation and the systematic weakening of public education. The government’s repeated failures have severely undermined the confidence of students and their families. Even the tragic loss of young lives associated with the failures of the examination system did not evoke a responsible response from the government. It ultimately took sustained nationwide protests to secure accountability,” the party said.
The CPI also demanded adequate compensation and justice for the families who lost their children as a consequence of the NEET paper leak and the grave failures of the examination system.
The CPI extended its heartfelt congratulations to the students and youth who organised, mobilised and fought this battle with courage, unity and perseverance. “This victory belongs to them and to all democratic forces that stood in solidarity with their struggle,” it said.
While the resignation of the minister marks an important achievement, the struggle for a just and democratic education system is far from over, the party said.
The CPI reaffirmed its commitment to continue fighting alongside students, youth, teachers and all democratic sections of society for an accessible, affordable, inclusive and high-quality public education system, free from commercialisation and discrimination, that serves the aspirations of India’s youth and the needs of the nation.
