New Delhi: Opposition leaders on Saturday praised the student demonstrators after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down in the wake
of large-scale protests by young people calling for his resignation over the alleged NEET (UG) paper leak and related education concerns.
The minister’s resignation was announced just before the third round of discussions between the government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the online satirical group that has been leading the protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s official venue for public gatherings.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attributed the outcome to both the students and the “united opposition.”
“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 apologize to our young generation and to take strict action against those who unleashed lathis, batons, and pellet guns on them,” Kharge wrote on X.
“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation; Modi-Shah are not invincible…They too will go!” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut posted on X.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal called it a major democratic success.
“Congratulations to the entire country on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Big win for democracy,” Kejriwal said in a video message on X.
Here’s what others said:
Manoj Jha (RJD MP): “First setback for Modi government, thanks to the resolve of our youths and students.”
Kunal Ghosh (TMC MLA): “He (Pradhan) should have done it earlier… BJP was trying to protect him. This is the victory of the people and students who were protesting… This is the victory of the whole country.”
Bhupender Singh Hooda (ex-Haryana CM): “Better late than never. This should have come earlier. There wouldn’t have been so much damage. The young generation across the country has lost faith in exams, so the entire system should change. A new system should be introduced… The demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Education Minister wasn’t just from Congress alone; it was from the youth of the entire country.”
Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP): “The resignation of the Education Minister is an acknowledgment that accountability in a democracy cannot be indefinitely evaded. It comes after weeks of determined, peaceful voices raised by students, parents and citizens across the country who refused to be ignored.”
Manish Sisodia (AAP leader): “Dharmendra Pradhan did not voluntarily submit his resignation. The nation’s children, the nation’s students, secured Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. If this had been a voluntary resignation, it should have happened when the NEET paper leak occurred…The country needs a massive education revolution.”
Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP chief): “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.”
