- Dharmendra Pradhan’s first reaction is that he claimed that there was an attempt to mislead the younger generation after his resignation.
- He stated that he is the son of a farmer and that the safety of the country and students is more important than his position.
- Students’ protest over NEET paper leak demands resignation
After a huge protest across the country over the NEET paper leak issue, the issue of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation came into the spotlight. There were demands for his resignation from students and the opposition. After finally resigning from his post, Dharmendra Pradhan has now commented on the entire matter for the first time.
Speaking at a program at GM University in Bhubaneswar, Dharmendra Pradhan clarified his stance on his resignation. “The younger generation was misled. I resigned keeping in mind the security of the country and the students,” he said.
‘Position is not important to me’
Dharmendra Pradhan claimed that some people were trying to mislead the younger generation. He noted that a large number of children are born in India every year and there are many expectations for their future. “The position is not important to me,” he said, explaining that the future of the students and the interests of the country are his priority.
During the event, some BJD workers outside raised slogans against Dharmendra Pradhan. Reacting to this, he said that he was not bothered at all by these slogans.
‘I am a farmer’s son, I will return’
Referring to his political journey, Dharmendra Pradhan said that he is the son of a farmer. “Even if I am asked to go back, I will not go back. I will come back,” he said.
Students across the country took to the streets in the wake of the NEET paper leak. They questioned Dharmendra Pradhan’s role as Education Minister and demanded his resignation. Although the protesters had expressed their readiness to hold talks with the government, it was being said in the political discussions on the issue that they would not call off the agitation until he resigned.
An important face in the Modi government
Dharmendra Pradhan was known as one of the important leaders in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. He was also seen as the main OBC face of the BJP in Odisha. The resignation of Pradhan, who held important responsibilities in the Union Cabinet for a long time, has also created a buzz in political circles. The resignation is being considered important in the backdrop of increasing pressure on the government over the NEET paper leak issue.
Meanwhile, this first statement made by Dharmendra Pradhan after his resignation is likely to heat up the political atmosphere again on the issue of NEET paper leak.