Union Education Minister says he stepped down after the turmoil of the past 10 days, urging students to focus on their future as protests over the NEET paper leak continue
New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday announced that he has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the decision was taken in the interest of the country’s unity following the developments of the past 10 days.
In a post shared on X, Pradhan said he was deeply saddened by the recent sequence of events and stressed that his resignation was “not a matter of personal prestige”. Calling India’s youth the nation’s greatest strength, he said he did not want them to fall into confusion or legal battles.
Pradhan’s resignation came as protests over the NEET paper leak intensified. Demonstrators clashed with police near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where tear gas shells were fired and a lathicharge was carried out. Several people were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), one of the groups leading the protests, reacted to the resignation by posting on social media, “Cockroaches won, Democracy won.” CJP leaders maintained that Pradhan’s resignation remained the protesters’ primary demand despite progress in talks with the government on compensation and withdrawal of cases against protesters.
The developments come after Prime Minister Modi announced that the government would introduce a tougher law against paper leaks. The Union Cabinet has already approved a draft amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for those involved in paper leaks.
Also Read: NPP Chief Conrad Sangma Meets Manipur CM: Discusses Development Priorities
