Modi's youth base crumbles: Education minister resigns after protests

Thousands of young Indians marched to parliament on Monday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a medical school entrance exam leak forced a resit, affecting 2 million students and driving at least 12 to suicide. The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), escalated into one of the largest displays of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in his 12-year tenure. Pradhan resigned hours later, but analysts say the damage to Modi's reputation among youth may be irreversible.

The trigger: exam paper leaks

The crisis erupted when leaked papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) forced authorities to cancel and reschedule the exam, upending the lives of millions of aspiring doctors. Many students, already grappling with intense competition, reported feeling betrayed by a system they once trusted. The government's initial response—blaming a few individuals—failed to quell anger. For Kartik Verma, a 20-year-old student at Aligarh Muslim University, the leaks were the last straw. Verma, whose family had long supported Modi, said, “The arrogance of the BJP with no accountability shook my belief.”

Why youth are disillusioned with Modi

The protest was fueled by broader grievances. India's unemployment rate among graduates has hovered above 20% for years, and youth feel left behind by an economy that rewards connections over merit. Corruption allegations against BJP officials, including in education, have further eroded trust. Unlike previous protests that focused on single issues, this one tapped into a deep sense of betrayal among young voters who had once helped sweep Modi to power in 2014 and 2019. Social media platforms buzzed with memes mocking the government, turning the movement into a viral phenomenon.

The role of social media

The CJP, a party founded by students, used TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp to organize the march, bypassing traditional media. Memes and hashtags like #ExamScam and #ResignPradhan trended for days, amplifying outrage. Analysts note that digital savvy allowed the movement to spread faster than previous ones, such as the 2020 farm protests. “India's youth are not just marching—they are memeing,” said political commentator Ritu Sharma. “This makes the discontent stickier and harder for the government to dismiss.”

What next for the BJP

While Pradhan's resignation may placate some, the underlying anger remains. State elections in five key states are due next year, where young voters could decide outcomes. The BJP faces a tough task in winning back a demographic that prizes accountability and jobs above party loyalty. For now, the party has promised a transparent investigation into the leaks, but many doubt it will restore faith. The real test will be at the ballot box, where India's youth may finally turn their online outrage into offline power.