India’s Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has been appointed as the country’s new Education Minister following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over an alleged examination paper leak.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the President of India, Joshi has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan’s resignation, NDTV reported.
Prahlad Joshi currently serves as India’s Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on the 35th day of the anti-paper leak protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In his resignation letter, he said he had stepped down to prevent what he described as “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation.
A day before Pradhan’s resignation, Joshi said the government remained committed to protecting students’ interests. He alleged that certain “anti-social elements” were attempting to use the movement led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for their own political purposes.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Joshi said:
“The Modi government has always stood with students and young people. We are committed to taking strict action against any irregularity or injustice that harms their future.”
He added that students have the democratic right to protest peacefully but cautioned them against allowing the movement to be used for purposes unrelated to their demands. These remarks came one day before Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from office.
