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New Delhi: Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended Parliament on Monday for the first time after resigning from his ministerial post over the paper leak controversy. As he arrived at the Parliament complex, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament welcomed him with slogans in his support.
Pradhan greeted colleagues with folded hands and a smile before entering Parliament. BJP MPs gathered around him, with some presenting him a traditional cap and a shawl as a gesture of respect.
Resignation Followed Nationwide Protests
Dharmendra Pradhan, a Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday following widespread protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and paper leak allegations.
In a post on X after submitting his resignation, Pradhan said he had sent his resignation to the Prime Minister and expressed sadness over the developments of the past several days. He stated that the issue was not about personal prestige and emphasized that India’s youth remain the nation’s greatest strength.
Government Appoints New Education Minister
Following Pradhan’s resignation, the Union Government assigned the Education Ministry portfolio to Pralhad Joshi, who has assumed charge of the ministry.
Opposition Criticizes BJP’s Welcome
The Congress party criticized the enthusiastic reception given to Pradhan by BJP MPs inside Parliament.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury questioned the celebration, drawing a comparison with the public reception given to convicts released in the Bilkis Bano case in 2022. Her remarks added a political dimension to the developments surrounding Pradhan’s resignation.
Political Reactions Continue
The resignation and the subsequent welcome in Parliament have sparked political debate, with the ruling party and the opposition offering contrasting views. While BJP leaders publicly expressed support for Pradhan, opposition parties continue to raise questions over the government’s handling of the examination controversy.
