Chandigarh: For the first time in days, slogans at the Sector 17 Plaza were not of defiance but of victory. Dhol beats grew louder, a “Jaago” procession wound through the crowd, the National flag fluttered in the evening breeze and protesters danced shoulder to shoulder. They came together to celebrate what they called the movement’s first major victory — resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.However, it does not end here. Students, parents, lawyers, professionals and activists who had spent days demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak described the resignation as an important milestone rather than the destination. They insisted that the movement would now shift focus towards broader reforms in the country’s education system.
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Holding a placard reading “Picture Abhi Baaki Hai”, 22-year-old graduate Jyoti called the resignation “the bare minimum.”“Accountability was our basic demand. The struggle doesn’t end here. We still need reforms in education, affordable healthcare and equal opportunities. Our generation is ready to question any system that is unjust,” she said.Advocate Vipin, who attended the gathering with his daughter Inayat, carrying a copy of the Constitution, said the development reaffirmed democratic accountability.“This is the victory of ‘We, the People of India’. Govts derive their authority from the people and must remain accountable to them. Reform is a continuous process, and today is only one step,” he said.Advocate Amarjeet said the day’s significance lay beyond the resignation itself. “What matters is that this generation has learnt to organise, question and protest democratically. Young people are expressing themselves creatively and are willing to speak up,” he said.Businessman J P Singh said the resignation reflected the power of collective public action.“Students had to come onto the streets to seek accountability. Whoever takes charge next must understand that public office comes with responsibility,” he said.Among the youngest participants was 12-year-old Avneet Kaur, who attended the celebration with her maternal uncle. Aspiring to become a civil servant, she said she hoped to serve the country and would peacefully protest again if required.Senior advocate R S Bains described the movement as one of the few in recent years where people across caste, religion and profession had stood together. “The values of fraternity, equality and liberty were visible here. It sends a message that no minister is above accountability,” he said.Student leader Karanveer of Students for Society (SFS) said the resignation addressed only one aspect of the movement’s demands. “The issue goes beyond one individual. Structural reforms in the examination system are necessary. There is still a long journey ahead,” he said.Protesters reiterated their remaining demands, including Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide amid NEET-related stress, action against police personnel accused of using excessive force during demonstrations and withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesting students.As the evening ended with songs, dancing and chants of victory replacing the familiar protest slogans, the crowd celebrated a political resignation but said they do not want the movement fall silent.
