New Delhi: Opposition leaders have congratulated the students and youth of the country who have been agitating for more than a month now and demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, saying that this was a win for democracy. Pradhan resigned on Saturday afternoon – the first resignation triggered by public pressure during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, whose Congress party has become extremely vocal on the matter over the last week, said, “Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step towards reshaping our education system. Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you. Heartiest congratulations to every young person, every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution, and their future.”He then highlighted the remaining demands raised by students – compensation for the kin of those who died by suicide because of the NEET paper leak, and the promise that no legal action would be taken against anyone involved in the protests.”For other sections of society—farmers, laborers, the poor, every person whom this government has suppressed and crushed—true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional manner for one’s dignity. The time has come to remove this government,” he continued.The Cockroach Janata Party has said after their meeting with Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh on Saturday that their demands have all been accepted, and the agitation was being called off.“I am very happy for many reasons. But the main reason is that I believe today, the 25th of July, is the day that the people of our country have started claiming their country back from those who have tried to destroy the Constitution, from those who have tried everything to oppress and suppress the voice of our people. I believe that this is a victory for the youth of India,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has said. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge too has celebrated this as a victory for students, but said that the prime minister himself must apologise to students for the police brutality they have faced.“India’s ‘Students’ Echo’ has finally reached the threshold of the arrogant power. This is the victory of our millions of youth who raised their voices on the streets across the country to fix the education system. This is the victory of truth and the defeat of Mr. Modi’s stubbornness. This is the victory of all those families who lost their blood, their children, because this government is corrupt. This is the victory of the united opposition, who raised their voices from Parliament to the streets in the interest of the students. Now it is Mr. Modi’s turn to apologise to our young generation and to take strict action against those who unleashed lathis, batons, and pellet guns on them,” he said.Congress leader Pawan Khera said it was a misnomer to call this a ‘resignation’: “I do not believe that he resigned. I believe he was removed from office by the people of this country. It was the youth of this country who removed him from office. We have repeatedly reiterated our three demands. The first was the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The second was that accountability must be fixed for the violence that took place on 20thJuly, during which pellet guns were used. The third demand can only be fulfilled when the Prime Minister apologises. Our demand is very clear.”Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray too echoed Kharge’s words about this being a loss of face for an “arrogant” government. “I congratulate Abhijit Dipke; a united youth defeated ‘arrogant’ government; youth have brought the country out of an atmosphere of fear,” he said.“It took too long, but truth has triumphed; whoever called them cockroaches, must have realised the power of a cockroach,” says Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant added.NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said, “The struggle and determination shown by the youth over 28 consecutive days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the NEET paper leak case is truly commendable. In response to the insistent demand of the protesters, the Union Education Minister has finally resigned today. This fight, which stood firmly against oppression without fear and forced the government to accept moral responsibility against injustice, is a symbol of the power of democracy. This is a major victory for the unity of the youth power in the country.” NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande, who was seen often at the Jantar Mantar protest site, said, “It is a new era for Indian politics and victory for every citizen.”Speaking from Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti too celebrated this as a win for Gen Z. “I think it’s a victory for the youth of India, those who stood there hungry and thirsty for so many days, without resorting to any violence. I think Gandhi’s India is reclaiming its space in our country. The youth who don’t believe in division or the Hindu-Muslim narrative or in depolarisation have upheld the ‘Idea of India’ and reclaimed its rightful place in this nation. I feel India is in safe hands now because the Indian youth have risen to the occasion. This resignation is the first step toward reclaiming what India should look like. The Indian youth are the bright future of this nation,” she said.Biju Janata Dal leader and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “I congratulate the young people of India, especially the Gen Z for this victory. Accountability and sensitivity to public opinion are integral values of a strong democracy. Nobody is above the will of the people. Voices of our people especially of the youth, deserve to be heard. The future of India belongs to the youth. I wish them all the best.” Odisha is Pradhan’s state.