Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation reflects the Bharatiya Janata Party’s belief that the interests of the country, students
and youth take precedence over political office.
Shah’s remarks came hours after Pradhan stepped down amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy, saying he had taken the decision to safeguard students’ futures and prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting the ongoing agitation.
In a post on X, Shah wrote, “For BJP workers, the country, our youth, and students are far more important than any position. Today, the resignation of Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from his post exemplifies this very principle.”
भाजपा के कार्यकर्ताओं के लिए पद से कहीं अधिक महत्वपूर्ण देश, हमारी युवा पीढ़ी और विद्यार्थी हैं। आज केंद्रीय शिक्षा मंत्री श्री @dpradhanbjp जी का अपने पद से इस्तीफा इसी को दर्शाता है।
मोदी सरकार देश के युवाओं की भावनाओं का सम्मान करती है और पेपर लीक के विरुद्ध आवश्यक सुधारों के… https://t.co/p12wLKGUkm
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 25, 2026
‘Committed to Reforms Against Paper Leaks’
Backing the Centre’s response to the examination controversy, Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and is determined to strengthen safeguards against examination malpractices.
“The Modi government respects the sentiments of the country’s youth and is committed to implementing the necessary reforms against paper leaks. The decisions taken by Modi ji to ensure strict punishment for those guilty of paper leaks are commendable,” he said.
Shah added that he was confident the government’s proposed reforms would ensure justice for students who had successfully cleared the NEET examination.
Pradhan Says Decision Was in Students’ Interest
Announcing his resignation on Saturday, Pradhan said the issue was “not a matter of personal prestige” and that the future of students must remain the top priority.
In his resignation statement, he said he had accepted responsibility for the controversy from the outset and chose to step down to ensure students could focus on their education and careers. He also said the move was intended to prevent disruptive elements from taking advantage of the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country.
Pradhan’s resignation followed weeks of student demonstrations demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process. Protest groups later announced the suspension of their agitation after the government accepted several of their demands, including Pradhan’s resignation.
Shah Praises Pradhan’s Tenure
Paying tribute to Pradhan’s work as Education Minister, Shah credited him with spearheading several key initiatives, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding examinations in regional languages, strengthening PM SHRI Schools, promoting digital education, boosting skill development and enhancing collaboration between academia and industry.
He also praised Pradhan’s efforts to make India’s examination system more inclusive and student-centric, saying his tenure reflected his commitment to the vision of building a developed India.
