Rahul Gandhi Calls Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation a Victory for Students, Demands Further Action

New Delhi, July 2026 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a major victory for students who had been protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak.

Describing the resignation as an important milestone in the fight for accountability, Gandhi said the sustained movement by students across the country had demonstrated the strength of democratic protest and would pave the way for meaningful reforms in India’s education system.

Taking to social media platform X, the Congress leader congratulated students for their determination and courage. He said Pradhan’s resignation represented a significant step towards rebuilding confidence in the country’s education system.

“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step towards reshaping our education system. Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you,” Gandhi wrote.

He also praised thousands of young people who participated in demonstrations across the country, saying their collective efforts had protected democratic values, the Constitution and the future of India’s youth.

According to Gandhi, the movement had proved that peaceful and united public action could compel those in authority to respond to citizens’ concerns. He congratulated every student who took to the streets demanding accountability and transparency in the conduct of competitive examinations.

While welcoming the resignation, Gandhi said the students’ movement was not yet complete, asserting that two major demands remained unresolved. He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to students and the nation over the alleged failures in the examination system. He also demanded strict action against those responsible for the police action on protesting students during demonstrations held in recent weeks.

In a video message, Gandhi urged students and citizens not to be intimidated, saying the developments should inspire other sections of society to stand up for their rights.

“This is a message to farmers, workers, the poor and everyone who feels oppressed. There is wisdom and courage in standing up. Don’t be afraid,” he said.

The Congress leader further alleged that democratic institutions and constitutional values were under pressure and asserted that the time had come for broader political change. He called upon citizens to continue raising their voices through democratic means to protect the country’s institutions and future.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned earlier on Saturday amid mounting political pressure and nationwide protests over alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities. The resignation followed weeks of demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and several other cities, where students had demanded greater accountability and comprehensive reforms in the examination system.

The development has intensified the national debate on education reforms, transparency in public examinations and measures to restore the confidence of millions of students preparing for competitive tests.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)