Rahul Gandhi Hails Dharmendra Pradhan’s Exit, Calls It a Victory for Students and Demands Further Accountability
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing it as a major victory for students who had sustained weeks of nationwide protests. Congratulating the youth, Gandhi said their determination had compelled the government to respond, calling the development a significant moment for India’s education system.
Addressing supporters shortly after the resignation, Rahul Gandhi praised the protesting students for refusing to back down despite political pressure and police action. He said the resignation demonstrated that peaceful and united public movements could influence government decisions, urging young people to remain engaged in democratic processes.
However, Gandhi argued that the resignation alone was not enough. He maintained that two key demands of the student movement remain unresolved, including accountability for the handling of the examination controversy and action over alleged police excesses during the protests. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly apologise to students, saying the government must accept responsibility for the crisis.
Escalating his political attack, Gandhi said the minister’s departure reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the BJP-led government and claimed the episode should encourage citizens to continue demanding greater transparency and accountability. He framed the resignation as evidence that sustained public pressure can force political change.
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan followed weeks of intense protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak and broader concerns about the integrity of India’s competitive examination system. Student organisations and opposition parties had repeatedly demanded ministerial accountability, making the issue one of the government’s biggest political challenges in recent months.
While Congress has projected the resignation as a major victory for the opposition-backed student movement, the BJP has thanked Pradhan for his service and defended his tenure, indicating that the political battle over education reforms and examination governance is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
