Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation as the Union Education Minister on July 25, following widespread protests across the country.

Dharmendra Pradhan
ZOOM IMAGE
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns

The move came after the Cockroach Janata Party, activist Sonam Wangchuk, and student protesters had been demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak issue.

Many celebrities came out in support of the protesters and welcomed the resignation. However, actor Ranvir Shorey and actor model Tara Deshpande shared a different point of view and appeared unhappy with how things unfolded.

Imran Khan says honest art cannot exist without personal beliefs. (X)
ZOOM IMAGE
Bollywood celebs joined the protest | (X)

Also Read | Jo darr gaya vo mar gaya’: Salman Khan’s latest post leaves fans guessing

Ranvir Shorey calls it a mistimed decision

Ranvir reacted with shock when the news of Pradhan’s resignation broke. He posted a GIF on X along with the words, “And in one swift move the Modi govt has managed to win over none of its enemies, and disenchant a lot of its supporters. #masterstroke”

When a user on X asked him whether he felt Pradhan should not have stepped down over the NEET paper leak controversy, Ranvir explained his thinking further.

Talking about the protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party, he wrote, “Yes, but should have done it before the streets were held hostage. Now it seems supporters will not be heard, but ‘cockroaches’ on streets will!”

Also Read | Bengaluru bus harassment: Driver kicks, slaps accused after woman’s allegation

Tara Deshpande says Pradhan’s work outside the paper leak controversy was solid

Tara shared a post originally written by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, who had expressed disappointment over the resignation.

She echoed similar thoughts. Part of her tweet read, “Sad. A minister who served many portfolios over a long career. He played a leading role in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which expanded LPG connections to millions of low income households.”

Also Read | ‘Stand proud, kids’: Comedians celebrate Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after CJP student protests

She continued, “He oversaw reforms such as the PAHAL direct benefit transfer for LPG subsidies and the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). He saw the Steel industry through trying times in the Pandemic. Even in education if you look at the work he did outside of NEET paper leaks it was solid. His act of resignation is to be respected.”

Bollywood shows support for the protest movement

On the other hand, several Bollywood celebrities openly supported the protest movement, both online and by showing up in person. Prakash Raj, Shabana Azmi and Hanumankind were seen at the Delhi protests, while Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Verma and others voiced their support through social media.

Gurfateh Pirzada, Pratibha Ranta, Shalini Pandey and several others joined the protests held in Mumbai.

Also Read | Desi Kalakaar remix goes viral: Honey Singh track turns into protest safety anthem

Once Pradhan’s resignation was announced, many public figures took to social media to appreciate the efforts of the Cockroach Janata Party, Sonam Wangchuk and the Gen Z protesters who had led the charge against the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and the paper leak scandal.

Celebrities like Kamal Haasan and Chinmayi Sripaada were among those who spoke up on the issue.

FAQs

1: Who is Dharmendra Pradhan?

He is the Union Education Minister who announced his resignation on July 25 following nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak issue.

2: Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign?

He stepped down after sustained protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party, activist Sonam Wangchuk and student groups demanding accountability for alleged irregularities and a paper leak in the NEET exam.

.