Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the Council of Ministers on Saturday as protests over the NEET paper leak and related allegations continued to intensify across Delhi and several states.

In his resignation letter, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared publicly, Pradhan said he sent in his resignation because of the situation that had developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country.

He said he did not want “anti-national forces” to take advantage of the unrest and added that he deeply respected the aspirations and expectations of the country’s youth.

This is the first major concession by the Modi government in response to the nationwide agitation.

Also Read | Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign? Here’s the full context of his letter

Background on the protest movement

The protests had been building for weeks, led by the Cockroach Janta Party and other youth groups that accused the government of failing students after alleged leaks in competitive entrance exams.

The movement began more than a month ago and widened beyond the exam controversy to include anger over unemployment, accountability, and economic opportunity.

The unrest had already spread to rallies in multiple cities and had remained one of the most visible signs of public dissent against the government in recent years.

BJP reacts to Pradhan’s exit

BJP leaders moved quickly to publicly thank Pradhan after the resignation. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju wrote that “true leadership” is measured over decades and thanked Pradhan for his “relentless service” to the nation, saying he had seen his dedication to India’s education ecosystem and to young students.

Rajya Sabha MP and BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said Pradhan had always given “highest importance” to the belief that a strong nation is recognized through its education system and added that his public life had begun with the student movement before reaching a major milestone as education minister.

Tawde also wished him well in future public life and said he should continue to carry his “Nation First” approach toward the goal of a developed India by 2047.

What comes after the resignation

Pradhan, 57, has been a senior BJP leader and has held several Union portfolios since 2014, including petroleum and natural gas, steel, skill development, and education, which he took over in 2021.

After Pradhan’s resignation, crowds at Jantar Mantar celebrated, chanting patriotic slogans and distributing sweets, even as the broader protest movement continued to press for exam reforms and accountability.

The demonstrators have demanded more than the minister’s exit, including wider changes to the examination system and compensation for families affected by the row.

Also Read | CJP asks protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

FAQs

Q1: Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Union education minister?

Dharmendra Pradhan said he resigned amid the ongoing NEET-related protests, stating he did not want the unrest to be exploited by “anti-national forces.”

Q2: How did BJP leaders react to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation?

Senior BJP leaders praised Pradhan’s public service and thanked him for his contribution to India’s education sector and national development.