Dharmendra Pradhan Breaks Silence: Claims Gen Z Misled Following NEET Resignation

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Sambalpur Member of Parliament Dharmendra Pradhan has broken his silence regarding his resignation from the Union Cabinet, while speaking on Saturday, Pradhan stated that during the widespread protests over the NEET paper leak case, there were deliberate attempts to mislead Gen Z. This marks his first public reaction since stepping down from the post of Union Education Minister following the controversy that rocked the national education landscape.

The Context of Resignation

Addressing students and teachers at GM University, Pradhan reflected on the events that led to his departure. He revealed that he had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers. This move came amidst intense pressure and large-scale demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Pradhan officially resigned from the post of Union Education Minister on 25 July, exactly two weeks before his recent address in Sambalpur. During his speech, he emphasized that for him, the position wasn't the priority, but the welfare of the students was paramount.

Focus on Gen Z and National Aspirations

Pradhan spoke passionately about the younger generation, referring to Gen Z as our children. He alleged that certain elements tried to misguide them for political or other gains. To highlight the scale of the demographic challenge and opportunity, he shared significant statistics. He noted that at least 2 crore children are born in India every year, which means approximately 20 crore children have been born in the last 10 years. He stated that these children have their own aspirations and are the ones who will eventually establish India as a 'Vishwa Guru' on the global stage.

Political Confrontation with BJD

The BJP leader also took the opportunity to target the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and its president, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. During another meeting in Rairakhol, Pradhan addressed the protests organized by BJD workers, where slogans like 'Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back' were raised near the airport, while pradhan asserted that he's the son of a farmer and remains undeterred by such slogans. He stated that even if he's told to go back, he will continue to return to serve the people, while he accused Naveen Patnaik of involving the youth in these protests and mentioned that the BJD chief had referred to him as a shame for the people of Odisha and a bad person.

Defending Personal and State Integrity

Pradhan questioned the audience about whether he had ever committed any act that would bring embarrassment to the people of Odisha. The crowd responded with a loud no. He clarified that while he might not always be bringing new honors to the state, he has never done anything to tarnish its reputation. He vowed never to engage in any activity that would diminish the prestige of Odisha. He credited the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, for his 12 years of service as a Union Minister. Interestingly, these remarks were made on a platform where BJD MLA and Deputy Leader in the Odisha Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, was also present. Pradhan mentioned that he had consulted Acharya before attending, who assured him of a warm welcome.

BJD's Sharp Counter-Attack

The BJD was quick to respond to Pradhan's statements. Rohit Pujari, BJD's Sambalpur District President and former minister, launched a scathing attack, claiming that Pradhan's own actions and the government's policies led to his downfall. Pujari argued that no one else defamed Pradhan; rather, the police action involving lathi-charge, tear gas, and excesses against peaceful student protesters at Jantar Mantar brought disrepute to his party and the government. He further alleged that 21 children committed suicide due to the incidents surrounding the exams. Pujari claimed that out of 22 lakh students who appeared for the exam, nearly 21 lakh are likely in depression. He concluded by saying that Pradhan didn't need anyone else to defame him as he had done it himself through the mismanagement of the crisis. Meanwhile, police in Sambalpur detained approximately 30 BJD workers as a precautionary measure to prevent further protests during Pradhan's visit.