New Delhi: While describing Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as a “symbolic” and significant step towards rebuilding India’s education system, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded action against officials responsible for the crackdown on students and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dharmendra announced his resignation on Saturday afternoon after days of protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, against the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and other irregularities in the education system.
This is a rare occasion when a senior member of PM Modi’s Cabinet has resigned after facing street protests and political pressure, as reported by India Today.
“Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step in rebuilding our education system. It’s a symbolic step because he was a symbol, but it is still a big step,” Rahul said in a video message.
Congratulating students and young people who participated in the protests, he said: “I want to congratulate every single student, every single youngster who came out on the streets and fought for democracy, fought for the future of this country and defended the Constitution. I’m proud of you. Well done.”
The resignation also sent a message to other sections of society, the LOP said.
“It’s also a signal to other parts of society, farmers, labourers, poor people, anybody who this regime is attacking and oppressing. There is wisdom and courage in standing up. Daro Mat, let’s get rid of this regime, this regime that is attacking India, destroying our Constitution, capturing all our institutions,” Rahul said.
Two demands were still pending despite Pradhan’s resignation, he insisted.
“Let me remind the government, there are still two demands outstanding. The first one and most important one, anybody who has raised a finger on our students, beaten them, shot at them, has to be held accountable. People who’ve organised it, people who’ve implemented it, all have to be punished,” Rahul said, while demanding an apology from the Prime Minister as well.
“The final demand that the Prime Minister of India, out of respect for the students of India, out of respect for the future of India, has to apologise to the students who were brutalised and attacked,” he said.