Dharmendra Pradhan quits

Dharmendra Pradhan quits

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned, according to recent developments. The resignation comes after weeks of protests over alleged leaks in some of the country's most competitive entrance exams and testing irregularities. Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Education Ministry following Pradhan's resignation.

Joshi will handle the ministry's responsibilities until a new Education Minister is appointed. The development comes after the government accepted the demands raised during talks with protesters over the NEET paper leak issue. Joshi said he accepted the additional charge of the Education Ministry with a sense of duty and humility, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the responsibility.

Karnataka Congress president BK Hariprasad said the resignation came too late, alleging that 22 students had lost their lives. He demanded compensation for the families of the victims and said the agitation would continue until their demands were met. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also demanded compensation for families affected by NEET-related deaths and withdrawal of cases against students who protested the issue.

CPM leader Ch. Babu Rao said the resignation of Pradhan should be followed by broader reforms in the education sector. He demanded the scrapping of key provisions of the National Education Policy and the National Testing Agency, alleging they had led to greater centralisation of education. Rao also called for a decentralised examination system and urged students to continue pressing the Centre for reforms.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for greater engagement with the younger generation through dialogue rather than directives. Bhagwat said today's youth expect answers and reasoning, unlike previous generations that largely accepted instructions without question. He added that instead of dictating, we need to engage in conversations and discuss, and build consensus and not pass orders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also stepped in, releasing midnight video messages on two consecutive days aimed at addressing concerns raised by students, particularly Gen Z protesters leading the nationwide movement against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Modi announced that the government would introduce stricter measures against those involved in paper leak cases and establish fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial of such cases.

The Cockroach Janta Party, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has said the group's concerns had been addressed after Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry. The party's national spokesperson, Ashutosh Ranka, said the acceptance of the group's demands marked a significant moment for students and youth who raised concerns over paper leaks. He expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones and students affected by the issue, while hoping the next Education Minister would work with honesty and accountability.

Union minister JP Nadda said the government held detailed talks with the Cockroach Janta Party delegation and agreed to provide copies of FIRs filed during the protests. He said no retaliatory action would be taken against protesters, while the party's five-point charter would be considered. On compensation, Nadda said the government sympathised with the affected families and would provide relief in accordance with existing rules, with the maximum assistance permissible under the law.