Former Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan spoke publicly on Saturday for the first time since stepping down from his post on July 25. Addressing gatherings at GM University in Odisha, Pradhan asserted that the nation’s youth belong to the country and that the ministerial post was never a matter of personal prestige for him. Furthermore, his comments came exactly two weeks after he resigned amid intense student demonstrations over the NEET-UG examination controversy.
Pradhan explained that he had personally approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer his resignation. He stated that he urged the Prime Minister to listen directly to the aspirations of the younger generation. Rather than letting their grievances be exploited for political ends, he wanted the youth’s voices heard.
“Gen Z Is a Force That Cannot Be Ignored”
Reflecting on the weeks of student-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and across the country, Pradhan described Gen Z as a massive force. He argued this group must be understood rather than resisted.
He emphasized that India sees two crore children born every year. In addition, he said that 20 crore youth in the 15-to-25 age group hold the determination to shape the country’s future.
“Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them. The post was not important to me,” Pradhan said. He noted that when millions of young citizens feel strongly about an issue, the portfolio of an Education Minister becomes insignificant. Their collective resolve is more important.
He shared that PM Modi accepted his request and subsequently engaged directly with youth representatives.
Political Backlash and Response to BJD Protests in Odisha
During his visit to Rairakhol and Sambalpur, Pradhan also addressed local political hostility from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). BJD youth activists staged demonstrations near the airport. They raised “Go Back Dharmendra Pradhan” slogans and blamed his tenure for student distress.
Pradhan remained unbothered by the demonstrations, invoking his regional roots. He said, “I am a farmer’s son. Even if you tell me to go back, I will come back.” Rebuffing allegations made by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Pradhan maintained that he had never performed any act to disgrace the people of Odisha. He declared that he would continue to work for the state’s reputation.
Opposition Pushback Over Student Agitation
The BJD responded sharply to Pradhan’s statements. BJD leader Rohit Pujari claimed that Pradhan was not defamed by opponents, but rather by the government’s handling of peaceful student protests through police action.
Opposition leaders asserted that policy failures led to widespread anxiety among lakhs of NEET aspirants nationwide.
The central government handed the NEET paper leak investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the controversy. A re-examination was conducted in June, with final results declared in mid-July.
Despite stepping down from his cabinet role, Pradhan affirmed that he remains dedicated to public service. Moreover, he said he remained committed to the welfare of students across India.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
