In a significant development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday tendered his resignation after days of nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak and irregularities in the education system. His resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a social media post, Pradhan said he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Modi, saying that he chose to step down to prevent “anti-national forces" from spreading confusion and taking advantage of the situation.

Pradhan’s resignation was the main demand of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been leading a massive protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for more than a month. The talks between the CJP and Centre were deadlocked over Pradhan’s resignation.

In his post, Pradhan said he had been dedicated to students, teachers and educational reforms for more than four decades and expressed gratitude to PM Modi for allowing him to serve as education minister.

He also acknowledged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, adding that he never shied away from responsibility in the situation. “My resolve was that no deserving student should suffer because of examination mafias and no student should face injustice," he said.

Pradhan said some people holding responsible positions attempted to create obstacles by misleading students. “The developments of the last 10 days have saddened me. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India’s youth power is the true strength of this country," he added.

“Considering the situation that has emerged at Jantar Mantar and across the country, and keeping in mind that anti-national forces should not take advantage of it, that the unity of the country remains intact, that the future of even a single Indian student is not entangled in legal complications, and that our children focus their time on studies and building their careers, I have sent my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister," he said.