Pradhan Addresses Resignation and Student Protests
Former Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan spoke out on Saturday regarding his recent resignation, which was influenced by widespread protests over the NEET paper leak incident. He claimed that the younger generation, often referred to as Gen Z, had been misled during the protests. Pradhan mentioned that he had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognize and respond to the protesters’ concerns.
At a ceremony honoring Padma awardees in Sambalpur, Pradhan shared his discussions with PM Modi, emphasizing the importance of addressing Gen Z’s aspirations instead of letting their grievances be manipulated for political gain. He stated, “Modi agreed and later addressed the issue personally.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Pradhan remarked, “I have been a victim of Gen Z. It seemed some people were trying to mislead our youth during this situation.” He reiterated his intention to ensure that concerns from students were acknowledged and not dismissed.
Resignation Context
Pradhan stepped down on July 25 after enduring weeks of student protests linked to the NEET paper leak controversy. In his resignation letter, he highlighted his concern that “anti-national forces” might exploit the unrest. He prioritized maintaining the country’s unity and protecting students from potential legal complications, clarifying that his resignation was “not a matter of individual prestige.”
He reported that the government acted swiftly once the irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, held on May 3, were identified. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was tasked with the investigation, and the exam was canceled, leading to a re-test on June 21, with results released on July 16.
Pradhan affirmed that he took responsibility from the beginning to safeguard the futures of deserving students. “I never shied away from this situation,” he claimed.
Future Generations
On the same day, Pradhan expressed that India’s youthful population will play a vital role in the nation’s ambition to emerge as a global leader. He noted that with about two crore children born each year, there will be a substantial number of young individuals aged between 15 and 25 in just a decade.
As part of an effort to connect with the youth, PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have been engaging more with Gen Z, especially after the recent protests highlighted their growing political influence.
Political Responses
The BJD’s Sambalpur district president, Rohit Pujari, criticized Pradhan’s handling of the protests. Pujari alleged that the BJP and the government had tarnished Pradhan’s image due to police actions against students, claiming over 20 students had tragically taken their own lives amid the controversy. He suggested that it was the BJP government’s flawed policies that had led to Pradhan’s resignation and negative perceptions around him.
