Guwahati: Following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, major opposition leaders framed the development as a major victory for student-led protests across the nation.
Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal praised the youth and Gen Z activists whose persistent demonstrations forced the step. In a video message on X, the former Delhi chief minister stated that public outrage ultimately dismantled the government’s arrogance, describing the move as a triumph for democratic accountability.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, declaring that the collective voice of millions of young protesters had finally breached the seats of power. In a statement posted on X, Kharge attributed the resignation to the resilience of students, affected families, and a united opposition that pushed for reforms both in Parliament and on the streets. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to the nation’s youth and hold authorities accountable for using force, including batons and pellet guns, against student demonstrators.
Adding to the critique, senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda asserted that the resignation was long overdue and could have prevented widespread disruption had the government acted earlier. Speaking to reporters, Hooda emphasized that deep-seated skepticism now surrounds the national examination framework, calling for a complete overhaul and the implementation of an entirely new system.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress reinforced its stance in an official statement, highlighting that Rahul Gandhi and the party have consistently championed student rights since the initial reports of the NEET paper leak, vowing to maintain pressure until systemic education reforms are secured.