Political Turmoil Surrounds Education Minister Amid NEET Paper Leak Protests

For 26 days, Sonam Wangchuk's historic hunger strike at Jantar Mantar has resonated with thousands of students protesting in the streets, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Despite the overwhelming public outrage and significant political pressure following the NEET UG 2026 paper leak scandal, the Modi government has yet to accept the resignation of its minister. This raises questions about whether the government is facing a significant dilemma or if there is a deeper strategy at play from PM Modi that remains unclear. Dharmendra Pradhan, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party from Talcher, Odisha, currently serves as the Union Minister of Education and represents the Sambalpur parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha. Political analysts suggest that the fear of admitting fault is a primary reason for the minister's continued position. If the government were to accept Pradhan's resignation, it would imply an acknowledgment of its failures regarding the NEET paper leak, a perception the Modi administration is keen to avoid. Instead of resignations, the government has opted for reforms in the examination system, strict actions against those responsible, and the establishment of fast-track courts to redirect the narrative.

Smriti Irani - 2 years 36 days

Prakash Javadekar - 2 years 329 days

Ramesh Pokhriyal - 2 years 38 days

Dharmendra Pradhan - 5 years 16 days (from July 7, 2021, to July 21, 2026)

Another intriguing factor is PM Modi's unique approach to governance, often referred to as 'The Modi Way of Politics.' The central government has consistently maintained an active stance on major decisions. If one minister were to be sacrificed, the opposition would frame it as a failure of the Prime Minister and the entire government. Historically, PM Modi has not succumbed to protests or external pressures when making decisions. He aims to project an image of a strong leadership that does not yield to public demands. Additionally, the potential future implications of accepting a resignation under pressure could empower the opposition to demand resignations for every minor controversy. This recalls the 2015 period when then Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated that resignations in the NDA government would not occur based solely on allegations. The BJP has learned from past administrations where ministers resigned at the first sign of controversy. The Modi government has fundamentally altered this tradition. However, it is important to note that the Modi administration has made changes in the past, such as the resignation of MJ Akbar in 2018 and the repeal of three agricultural laws in 2021. Yet, the current circumstances are markedly different, as the government now relies on the support of NDA allies and must tread carefully.

Dharmendra Pradhan has played a significant and continuous role in central politics over the past 12 years, remaining a part of the central cabinet without interruption. He holds the record for the longest-serving Petroleum Minister in post-independence India. Additionally, he has effectively managed key ministries such as Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as well as Steel. Since taking charge of the Ministry of Education, Pradhan has accelerated the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on prioritizing mother tongue and local languages in early childhood education. The use of local languages in primary education is considered a core ideological pillar of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Pradhan has openly acknowledged that several critical aspects of NEP 2020, including skill development, teacher training, and mother-tongue-based education, are inspired by the experiences and initiatives of the educational organization 'Vidya Bharati' associated with the RSS.