Congress Celebrates Education Minister's Resignation as a Win for Students

The Congress party has celebrated the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a significant victory for students who have been advocating for change. While they view this as a step forward, they insist that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must apologize to the student community. Congress leaders emphasized the importance of accountability for those who used force against protesters and highlighted the unity of the opposition in supporting student rights. This resignation follows widespread protests over the NEET paper leak issue, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for educational reform in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 25, 2026, 16:08 IST

A Significant Shift in Education Leadership

New Delhi: On Saturday, the Congress party hailed the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a triumph for students who have persistently pressured the government. However, they emphasized that this victory is incomplete until the Prime Minister offers an apology to the student community.

The opposition party characterized this event as a win for a generation weary of navigating an 'unjust and corrupt' system, showcasing the unity and solidarity of the opposition with the students.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress president, remarked that Pradhan's resignation signifies a 'victory of truth' and a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'stubbornness'.

Kharge insisted that it is now Modi's responsibility to apologize and take decisive action against those who used force against protesting students.

In his initial response to Pradhan's resignation, Kharge stated, 'The voices of India's students have finally reached the ears of the powerful.'

'This victory belongs to the millions of youth who took to the streets to demand reforms in the education system... It is a triumph of truth and a blow to Mr. Modi's obstinacy,' he added.

Kharge also highlighted that this is a victory for families who have suffered losses due to the government's 'corruption'.

'This is a win for the united opposition, which has voiced concerns from Parliament to the streets for the benefit of students.'

'Now, it is Mr. Modi's turn to apologize to our youth and to take strict measures against those who unleashed violence upon them,' Kharge stated.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress's general secretary in charge of communications, remarked, 'This is not the conclusion. We still await the Prime Minister's apology to our students.'

He reiterated the demand for accountability from those responsible for the violence, including the use of pellet guns against protesters.

'The incompetent and arrogant Minister Pradhan has finally been forced to resign due to the relentless pressure from the youth, which compelled the Prime Minister to withdraw his political support for him.'

'This is a victory for a generation that is exhausted from battling an unfair and corrupt system, and for an opposition that has shown unwavering unity and support for the students,' Ramesh concluded.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his position on Saturday afternoon following widespread protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party, demanding his removal over the NEET paper leak controversy.

Pradhan stated that this situation is not about 'personal prestige' for him and expressed his distress over the events that have transpired in the past ten days.

'I have taken responsibility for the NEET paper leak from the very beginning,' he remarked, adding that anti-national elements should not exploit the situation at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country.