The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, terming it a “victory for democracy” and claiming it was a result of sustained protests by students and youth demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination system.
In separate statements, AAP national conference coordinator Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leaders said the development reflects the strength of the democratic protest and urged the Center to bring in comprehensive reforms to prevent paper leakage in future and improve the education system.
AAP links the resignation to the student movement
Kejriwal congratulated the students and young protesters, saying their movement forced the government to act.
“The youth struggle has finally paid off and Dharmendra Pradhan has had to resign. This is a big victory for democracy,” Kejriwal said.
He claimed that many people were starting to lose confidence in democratic institutions because governments were not responsive to public concerns, adding that the resignation showed that governments must finally listen to citizens.
Kejriwal also expressed his hope that the Center would now reform the examination system so that paper leaks do not recur and students do not face severe distress. He reiterated that democracy only works when governments remain accountable to the people.
Party leaders are seeking broader educational reforms
Addressing a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed that this was only the second occasion in the last 12 years when the Union government had to reverse course after a public movement, comparing it to the farmers’ protest.
He claimed that the Education Minister’s resignation, coupled with the alleged sacking of several National Testing Agency (NTA) officials, represents an important victory for students. Singh also claimed that previous protests had been largely met with police action rather than dialogue, and said Al-Shabaab must now continue to press for jobs and increased government accountability.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and former Education Minister Manish Sisodia described the resignation as a result of sustained public pressure and not a voluntary decision. According to the party, Sisodia said the protests laid the foundation for a broader movement aimed at long-term educational reforms, starting with stronger safeguards against paper leakage.
Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai described the development as a victory for the student protests, alleging that the protesters continued their agitation despite police action and restrictions. Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the movement succeeded despite the protesters being branded with various allegations and receiving little political support.
Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Parliament, Atishi, also welcomed the resignation, calling it a victory for the country’s youth and saying it reflects the impact of the ongoing public mobilization.
AAP leaders Ankush Narang and Kuldeep Kumar echoed similar sentiments, noting that the incident showed how collective action by youth can force governments to respond to public demands. The party stressed that the focus must now shift to strengthening the examination system and ensuring greater transparency and accountability in education management.
