Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday congratulated students and youth protesters after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid nationwide outrage over paper leaks and exam irregularities.
In a post on X, Patnaik called it a victory for young people and stressed the importance of public accountability.”I congratulate the young people of India, especially the Gen Z for this victory. Accountability and sensitivity to public opinion are integral values of a strong democracy. Nobody is above the will of the people. Voices of our people especially of the youth, deserve to be heard. The future of India belongs to the youth. I wish them all the best,” Naveen stated.
Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. In his letter, the Union Minister said the decision was taken to protect students’ future and maintain the integrity of examinations.
“For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation,” Pradhan wrote.
“Considering the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country — to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting it, preserving national unity, ensuring that not a single Indian student’s future gets entangled in legal complexities, and allowing our children to devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers — I have submitted my resignation to the Honourable Prime Minister,” he said.
The resignation came following days of protests by students across the country demanding strict action against paper leaks and lapses in competitive exams.
