India’s education minister resigned after weeks of protests led by the “Cockroach” group.

India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of protests calling for his removal over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams and irregularities in the education system.

Pradhan announced the decision on the X channel, giving a major victory to the “Cockroach” movement, which has led nationwide protests, sit-ins and hunger strikes. His resignation also marks the first major concession by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in one of the most visible waves of public opposition it has faced in recent years.

The agency was launched more than a month ago after allegations of leaks in some of India’s biggest exams. It started as a call for education reform but has grown into a broader protest about unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity. Students, professionals, families and activists joined rallies in New Delhi and other cities across India.

News of Pradhan’s resignation sparked celebrations among thousands of protesters who have camped out at a protest site in New Delhi for more than a month. Many friends waved the Indian flag.

Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who joined the protests, said Pradhan’s resignation was necessary to restore accountability in the education system.

“This had to be done. Someone must be held accountable,” he said.

The Cockroach Janta Party, which founded the protest movement, declared victory following the resignation, writing on X: “DEMOCRACY WINS!”

The protests have become one of the most persistent challenges for the Modi government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons to disperse the marchers.

Tensions rose on Monday when the police tried to disperse thousands of protesters who were marching towards the Parliament. A number of students were injured in this incident, which increased the anger of the protesters.

Earlier, the Modi government wanted to ease the tension by announcing fast-track courts for cases related to the leakage of examination papers and said it would introduce a law to strengthen measures against cheating and corruption in the examination system.

These measures failed to satisfy the protesters, who said they did not face a government response. Although Pradhan’s resignation meets their major demands, the leaders of the movement said that their campaign will continue as they want compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after the alleged leak of examination papers and action taken by the police who they suspect of using excessive force.

“Remember, don’t confuse (with) phela,” said Abhijeet Dipke, the organization’s leader, in a written statement.