Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, on Saturday responded to the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid massive student protests over alleged irregularities in government exams, saying it is time to “sack this government”.
Gandhi, who met a section of protesting students at his 10 Janpath residence earlier on Saturday, congratulated students across the country who took to the streets to “protect democracy, the Constitution and their future”.
“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a big step towards reshaping our education system. Well done to students across the country; we are proud of you all. Warmest congratulations to every young person, every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution and their future,” Gandhi wrote on X.
Rahul Gandhi said two demands remained: an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi “with respect to the students and the future of India”, and action must be taken against those guilty of violence against students.
“For other sections of society – farmers, workers, the poor, everyone who has been oppressed and crushed by this government – true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional way for the dignity of the individual. It is time to remove this government. Do not be afraid!” He added.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday, after weeks of massive student protests in Delhi demanding his resignation over examination irregularities, particularly the leak of NEET-UG papers.
Pradhan announced his resignation from the position at X. He said he took the decision keeping the future of the students in mind. “…To ensure that anti-national elements do not take advantage of the situation in Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, and that students in India do not get bogged down in legal complexities and focus on their studies and careers, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister…”, the letter said.
The development comes a day after spokespeople for the Kokruche Janta Party (CJP), the Abhijit Debke-led party that led the protests, met union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. After the meeting, the CJP said the government had asked for one day’s time to take a decision on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Abhijit Debaki ‘thanks’ CJI
“Thanks for calling us cockroaches.” That was Abhijit Debaki’s message on Saturday to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, delivered from the Jantar Mantar dais, minutes after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister under pressure from the movement that owes its origin and name to remarks made by India’s chief justice.
“I would like to thank CGI Surya Kant. If he had not called us cockroaches, I would not have come to India. This movement would not have started,” the founder of the Kokruche Janta Party told his supporters.
This commentary traces the movement to its point of origin, the May 15 Supreme Court hearing on the appointment of senior advocate, during which the CJI noted that “there are young people who are like cockroaches, who are not getting any work and have no place in the profession.” Kant later said that the remark was only directed at holders of fake law degrees, not the widespread unemployed youth.
He has since reiterated that sections of the media misquoted him. The clarifications did little to prevent the statement from spreading widely.
