‘This is only a beginning…,’ say youths in Bengaluru 

Students and several youths gathered at Freedom Park to celebrate the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday. As cheers and slogans criticising the Union government rang the air, they insisted that the movement for education reforms was far from over.

People celebrating as Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Despite the celebratory mood, speakers and demonstrators stressed that their demands extended beyond a single resignation and called for transparent and honest processes going forward.

A large number of students and youths celebrating the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Senior medical professional Ramesh Bellamkonda said, “This [the Minister’s resignation] is a small victory in a big battle,” urging students to continue pressing for systemic reforms.

Ashutosh, a demonstrator, said the protests had shown that the young people could make their voices heard. “It looks like we have made sure that the government knows that they cannot mess with the youth. If we want something as a nation, we will get it.”

Anahita, another demonstrator, described the resignation as an important milestone rather than the end of the movement. “It is just one step in the right direction, but it is not over. We have reached a point where the momentum needs to keep going to make a bigger difference,” she said.

The gathering was organised by the All India Students’ Association, several of whose leaders also sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.