New Delhi: Having been a Union minister with various portfolios since the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014, Dharmendra Pradhan was a regular member of the Narendra Modi cabinets in his three terms as Prime Minister of India.
On a historic Saturday, July 25th, Pradhan resigned from the post of Union Education minister following relentless pressure from the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation involving the country’s students and youth.
The 57-year-old BJP politician from Odisha was quick to change the bio on his X handle. He removed ‘Union Minister of Education’ and changed it to his current status ‘MP (LS) Sambalpur’.
Pradhan, a Rajya Sabha MP from 2012 to 2024, became a Lok Sabha MP after winning in the 2024 election from Odisha’s Sambalpur. He was also an MLA in the Odissa Assembly, from Pallahara constituency in Odisha’s Anugola (former Angul).
Pradhan held multiple portfolios in the Union cabinet over a period of 12 years.
He served as Education minister from July 2021 to July 2026.
Earlier, he was minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas from 2014 to 2021, minister of Steel from 2019 to 2021, and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship from 2017 to 2024.
Pradhan said he stepped down to prevent “anti-national forces” from spreading confusion and taking advantage of the situation. He also acknowledged the power of India’s youth after submitting his resignation.
“The developments of the last 10 days have saddened me. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India’s youth power is the true strength of this country,” he said.
BJP leaders did their best to give Pradhan a decent send-off, praising his work over the years.
BJP president Nitin Nabin lauded Pradhan for implementing the National Education Policy 2020.
“As Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji played a pivotal role in reforming India’s education landscape and successfully implementing the landmark National Education Policy (NEP 2020), among other initiatives. Prioritising larger interests, his decision to step down reflects the highest standards of integrity and selfless service in public life. The party stands firmly with Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji in this decision. I extend my best wishes for his future endeavours,” Nabin posted on X.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju described Pradhan’s journey as a “testament” to lifelong engagement with public life and student welfare.
“True leadership is measured over decades & and Dr Dharmendra Pradhan-ji’s journey stands as a testament to lifelong engagement with public life and student welfare,” Rijiju wrote on X, sharing a picture of him with Pradhan.
BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said a strong nation is defined by its education system and Pradhan has always accorded the utmost importance to this idea throughout his public life.
“I extend my best wishes for your future endeavours in public life and hope that your spirit of ‘Nation First’ remains steadfast in the pursuit of the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” Tawde said.
