New Delhi — Two weeks after resigning as India’s Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan told a gathering of students and faculty that his decision was driven by concern over how the ongoing protests surrounding the NEET examination paper leak were affecting young people.
Resignation linked to protests, minister says
Speaking at GM University in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said he stepped down because he believed there were attempts to “mislead” Gen Z during demonstrations that followed reports of a leaked medical entrance examination. He framed the issue as one that involved the aspirations of a large cohort of young Indians rather than a personal matter.
“Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them. I had no personal issues then. At least two crore children are born in India every year. During the last 10 years, 20 crore children were born. They have aspirations, and they will make India the 'Vishwa Guru'. The post was not important to me,”
Pradhan confirmed he had offered his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he chose to step down from the Union Council of Ministers. He had left the education portfolio on July 25 amid intense protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where demonstrators gathered over the alleged paper leak for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), the exam used for admission to medical colleges.
Political fallout and local confrontations
At a separate event in Rairakhol, Pradhan addressed confrontations with regional political figures, singling out former Odisha chief minister and regional party leader Naveen Patnaik. He described being the subject of protests by party activists and slogans demanding he "go back" near an airport demonstration.
Pradhan said he was unshaken by the protests and recounted his upbringing as the son of a farmer when responding to calls for him to leave. He also accused the Biju Janata Dal president of mobilizing youth in demonstrations against him, saying those actions were intended to tarnish his reputation. At the Rairakhol event, he referenced consultation with a local party leader, Prasanna Acharya, when deciding whether to resign.
Framing the resignation: service to youth, not the post
In his remarks, Pradhan sought to emphasise that the ministerial position itself held less importance than the future of India’s students. He reiterated a long-term perspective on the country’s youth, noting the scale of new births and projecting their role in shaping India’s place globally.
- Resignation date: July 25 (stepped down from education ministry)
- Reason cited: Attempts to mislead Generation Z during NEET-related protests
- Audience: Students and teachers at GM University; later remarks in Rairakhol
| Time frame | Figure cited |
|---|---|
| Per year | 2 crore children born |
| Last 10 years | 20 crore children born |
Pradhan’s comments underline the political sensitivity of the NEET paper leak controversy, which has prompted widespread public demonstrations and scrutiny of how authorities manage high-stakes university and professional entrance exams. By presenting his resignation as a protective move for students’ interests, the former minister framed the debate as one about safeguarding young people from manipulation.
The speeches in Bhubaneswar and Rairakhol combined appeals to local identity and faith — Pradhan referenced blessings that he said had accompanied his political career — with pointed criticism of regional opponents. Observers will be watching whether his resignation leads to policy changes in how the government addresses exam security, protest management and communications with students, or whether it deepens partisan tensions in Odisha and beyond.
For now, Pradhan’s public explanation centres on a desire not to let the ministerial role overshadow the perceived stakes for millions of young Indians preparing for competitive examinations.
