New DELHI, AUGUST 9: Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified the circumstances surrounding his step down from the cabinet, stating that efforts to mislead young citizens during recent examination agitations motivated his decision. Addressing students and faculty at GM University in Bhubaneswar, the senior leader maintained that the future and aspirations of the nation’s youth remained far more vital to him than holding a ministerial post.
Speaking candidly about the protests over the NEET examination controversy, Pradhan affirmed that the younger generation represents the bedrock of the country’s future. Certain elements attempted to misguide the youth during the demonstrations, he declared, asserting that he harbored no personal grievances against the protesting students.
The Sambalpur MP shared that he directly approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tender his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers on July 25. The step followed weeks of demonstrations by student groups and opposition parties concerning alleged irregularities in national examinations. He maintained that with two crore children born in India annually, this energetic populace holds the potential to establish the country as a global leader.
During his visit to his home state, Pradhan also addressed demonstrations conducted by opposition Biju Janata Dal workers who raised slogans demanding his departure. Speaking in Rairakhol, the leader stated that as a farmer’s son, such protests would not deter him from returning to serve the state. He declared that he had never engaged in any activity that would bring disrepute to Odisha.
Responding to the developments, local opposition leaders noted that public dissatisfaction stemmed from the overall handling of student concerns during the agitation. BJD Sambalpur district president Rohit Pujari maintained that the policy decisions and subsequent administrative actions had caused mental distress among students preparing for competitive examinations.
