Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday amid mounting nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak, stating that his decision was aimed at safeguarding the future of students and preventing “anti-national forces” from exploiting the ongoing unrest.
Pradhan’s resignation came after days of sustained student protests, with his exit having emerged as the principal demand of demonstrators gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The announcement was made through a post on social media just hours before the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which had maintained that his resignation was a non-negotiable condition for further negotiations.
The announcement triggered celebrations among protesters at Jantar Mantar, where activist Sonam Wangchuk has been leading an indefinite fast in support of the movement.
“We Have Done It”: Jubilant scenes at Jantar Mantar after Pradhan’s resignation
IT Desk
Jubilant scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after news broke that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had resigned, with protesters hailing the development as a major victory for the student-led movement against the alleged NEET paper leak.Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief Abhijeet Dipke, who has spearheaded the protest demanding Pradhan’s resignation and reforms in the examination system, announced the news to supporters after receiving a phone call.
“We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned,” Dipke told the gathering, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Calling the resignation a significant milestone, Dipke said it demonstrated that “the country is run by the Constitution” and described it as “just the beginning” of a broader movement.
Celebrations erupted across the protest site, with CJP leaders congratulating demonstrators. However, party spokesperson Saurav Das said the protesters would continue their sit-in until they received official written confirmation of the minister’s resignation.
Meanwhile, security measures at the venue were visibly eased, with police reducing checks at entry points and discontinuing the recording of visitors’ names and social media account details.
According to reports, Pradhan resigned on moral grounds and was not removed from office by the government, indicating that the decision was voluntary. A senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Odisha, he assumed charge as Union Education Minister in 2021 and continued in the post after the party retained power following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In his resignation statement, Pradhan said stepping down was “not a matter of personal prestige” but a decision taken in the larger national interest. He said the recent developments had deeply saddened him and reiterated that India’s youth remain the nation’s greatest strength.
Pradhan said he had accepted responsibility for the NEET controversy from the outset and remained committed to ensuring that examination mafias did not jeopardise the future of meritorious students.
Referring to the violent clashes that occurred during the students’ march towards Parliament on July 20, in which more than 180 protesters and police personnel were reportedly injured, Pradhan said he did not want the situation to be exploited by forces working against the country’s interests.
He stated that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that national unity remained intact, students were not drawn into prolonged legal disputes, and their focus could return to education and career-building.