Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 28 (ANI): On Tuesday, a sizable crowd greeted former Union Education Minister and BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan at the Bhubaneswar Airport.
Pradhan resigned from his role as Union Education Minister on July 25.
His resignation came amid widespread protests related to the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan emphasized that his decision was made in the best interests of students, aiming to prevent youth from becoming “trapped in a web of confusion.”
Throughout his over four-decade-long dedication to education, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to the aspirations of India’s youth, stating, “For more than four decades, I have been associated with students, teachers, and the cause of education reform. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system is the foundation of a strong nation.”
Reflecting on the NEET-UG situation, Pradhan noted that the government acted swiftly once irregularities in the May 3 examination were identified. “The Government of India immediately took cognizance of the matter, handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination, and announced a date for the re-examination. Along with this, it was decided that from next year onwards, the examination would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode,” he explained.
Pradhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the chance to serve as Education Minister, along with appreciation for his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, and staff. “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his guidance, trust, and continuous support… Serving the nation is the highest priority of my life, and I will always remain dedicated to it,” he stated.
This resignation occurs in the context of a series of national protests, including a 26-day hunger strike led by activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has assembled prominent leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal, and Gaurav Gogoi, to address the Lok Sabha regarding ‘The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026,’ as per sources from the INDIA bloc.
The Lok Sabha is expected to commence discussions on the anti-paper leak legislation at 2 PM.
While the Opposition has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions about the anti-paper leak bill, they have made it clear that their participation hinges on assurances from the government concerning recent law enforcement actions against protesting students. “We are neither against the paper leak bill nor discussion on it; we fully support any move to strengthen exams, but we need an answer on pellet guns and excessive use of force against protesting students,” a source from the INDIA bloc stated.
