Indian ​Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday he had resigned, handing a major victory to young protesters nationwide who had demanded that ​he ‌quit to take responsibility for examination ⁠paper leaks.

The minister announced his resignation on X just as police fired tear ‌gas to scatter young protesters in New Delhi, ⁠hours before their leaders were set to hold another round of talks with ministers.

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“Considering the situation that ​has arisen at Jantar Mantar and across the ‌country, so that anti-national forces do not take advantage of this situation … I have sent my resignation letter to the Prime ‌Minister,” Pradhan wrote in his post.

“I deeply respect the aspirations, feelings, ​and legitimate expectations of the country’s youth.”

Cheers erupted among the thousands of protesters who have been rallying in central Delhi and ​elsewhere as the news spread.

Federal authorities have restricted ​access to the internet and to 18 ​metro stations to try to limit the protest in the capital.

Anger has boiled ​over since police on Monday injured many students, launching baton charges and firing tear gas to deter crowds of protesters marching on parliament.

The protests, led largely by young people ⁠and triggered by discontent over leaks of question papers for high-stakes entrance exams, ⁠reflect anger ​over job scarcity, corruption and government accountability.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)