'Dharmendra Pradhan's journey testament to lifelong engagement with student welfare': Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi, July 25
After Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as the Union Education Minister, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju praised his journey in public service, terming it as a "testament to lifelong engagement with student welfare".
Submitting his resignation on Saturday, Pradhan reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, framing it as a response to protect exam integrity and students' future.
Taking to social media platform X, Kiren Rijiju said: "True leadership is measured over decades and Dharmendra Pradhan ji's journey stands as a testament to lifelong engagement with public life and student welfare."
Union Minister Rijiju added: "Having worked alongside him (Dharmendra Pradhan) in the Union Cabinet, I have seen his sincere dedication to strengthening India's education ecosystem and keeping our millions of young students at the centre of every decision. Leading such a critical sector demands immense perseverance & he embraced it with courage & clear vision."
Rijiju thanked Pradhan for his "relentless service" towards the nation.
"Dharmendra ji, thank you for your relentless service, your commitment to reforms & your contribution to building a stronger India. I wish you the very best as you continue to serve the nation with the same conviction and sincerity!" the Union Minister said.
Pradhan's resignation comes amid the nationwide protests demanding strict action against the paper leaks and exam irregularities, and the Education Minister's resignation citing accountability.
In his letter, Pradhan said, "For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation."
"I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and legitimate expectations of the country's youth. Realising the dreams of India's young generation has been a moral commitment in our political and social lives. I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve the nation under his visionary leadership," he added.
Pradhan also said that as soon as the irregularities regarding the NEET-UG examination came to light, the government, taking immediate cognisance of the matter, handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, cancelled the exam, and announced a date for a re-examination.
Dharmendra Pradhan added that a decision was made to conduct the NEET-UG exam in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode starting next year.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Rijiju's praise is nice, but let's be real – the education system needs more than just "lifelong engagement." Students are stressed, exams get cancelled last minute, and coaching mafia thrives. Hope the next minister focuses on affordable quality education for all, especially in rural areas. 📚
Being from the US, I find it interesting how this works. In our system, the education secretary serves at the president's pleasure and resigns only after a scandal. But here, it seems like Pradhan preemptively stepped down to protect the PM's image. Does that actually fix exam integrity? Doubtful.
Dharmendra Pradhan's four-decade journey is indeed commendable – from a student activist to reforming education. But resignation alone won't restore students' trust. The CBI probe into NEET and UGC-NET leaks is a start, but we need more transparency in exam processes. Computer-based testing is good, but what about other exams? 😕
I read that Pradhan also oversaw the National Education Policy 2020. That was a major reform, but its implementation has been patchy. Schools still lack digital infrastructure, and teacher training is inconsistent. A resignation might show accountability, but real progress needs systemic changes, not just political gestures.
As a student who appeared for NEET last year, this entire episode has been nerve-wracking. Cancelling the exam and re-conducting it is unfair on students who prepared honestly. The government should have caught the leak earlier. Pradhan ji's resignation is a good first step, but what about those who lost
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.