After resigning from the post of Education Minister, Pradhan reached Parliament for the first time on Monday.
Former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan arrived at Parliament on Monday. A crowd of BJP and NDA MPs gathered to welcome Pradhan as he arrived in the Parliament complex. Opposition MPs also met him.
According to media reports, an opposition MP quipped that this was the first time a minister had resigned without facing charges.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also said, “This happens all the time.” Dharmendra Pradhan responded, “I’m a street fighter, not an activist who sits in an air-conditioned room.”
Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on July 25. The Cockroach Janata Party had staged a sit-in at Jantar Mantar for 36 days demanding his resignation in the NEET paper leak case.
Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed by BJP and NDA MPs in Parliament….
Dharmendra Pradhan arrived for the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He was received by BJP MPs present at Makar Dwar.
Pradhan was welcomed with a traditional skullcap. NDA MPs praised his decision.
Congress criticises BJP over welcome for Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament
The Congress on Monday criticised the BJP for welcoming former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the Parliament House complex, calling the gesture “deeply shameful” and an insult to the country’s youth. Opposition MPs also raised slogans of “Paper thief” during the protest.
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said BJP MPs had welcomed Pradhan as though he had achieved a significant accomplishment.
In a post on X, Ramesh said, “The country has already seen that instead of apologising while resigning over the paper leak issue, Pradhan accused students of being misled. After that, Union Ministers praised him on social media.”
Questioning the BJP’s decision to honour Pradhan, Ramesh wrote, “The BJP should clarify whether the handling of paper leaks, the deteriorating education system, the lathi-charge on students and the use of pellet guns were considered commendable. If not, what exactly is this honour for? And if so, is this the message the BJP wants to send to the country’s youth and students?”
Pradhan resigned on July 25 with a two-page letter
Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on July 25 through a two-page, 575-word letter. In the letter, he referred twice to what he described as attempts to “mislead the youth” during the controversy. Those sections of the resignation letter are highlighted below.
Dharmendra once protested against paper leaks and resigned on the same issue
Dharmendra Pradhan also participated in the paper leak protests in 1997. He was severely beaten and suffered facial injuries. -Photo Credit: TNIE
Dharmendra Pradhan also protested against the paper leak issue 29 years ago. Prashant Raut, a former associate of Pradhan, told The Indian Express that in 1997, when a paper leak occurred in Odisha, Pradhan led a protest. Around 1,500 students participated. Police lathi-charged the protesters. Dharmendra Pradhan was severely beaten. He suffered multiple injuries and fractures.
