NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Saturday paid tribute to Dharmendra Pradhan after he resigned as Union education minister amid nationwide student protests demanding his resignation over the alleged NEET (UG) paper leak and related controversies.BJP national president Nitin Nabin thanked Pradhan for “prioritising larger interests.”“As Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji played a pivotal role in reforming India’s education landscape and successfully implementing the landmark National Education Policy (NEP 2020), among other initiatives. Prioritising larger interests, his decision to step down reflects the highest standards of integrity and selfless service in public life.
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The party stands firmly with Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji in this decision. I extend my best wishes for his future endeavors,” Nabin said on X.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju thanked Pradhan for his “relentless service” to the nation, describing his tenure as a testament to decades of public service and commitment to student welfare.“True leadership is measured over decades & @dpradhanbjp ji’s journey stands as a testament to lifelong engagement with public life & student welfare. Having worked alongside him in the Union Cabinet, I have seen his sincere dedication to strengthening India’s education ecosystem & keeping our millions of young students at the center of every decision. Leading such a critical sector demands immense perseverance & he embraced it with courage & clear vision,” Rijiju posted on X.“Dharmendra ji, thank you for your relentless service, your commitment to reforms & your contribution to building a stronger India. I wish you the very best as you continue to serve the nation with the same conviction & sincerity!” he added.Rajya Sabha MP and BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said Pradhan had always accorded the “highest importance” to the idea that “the identity of a strong nation is recognised through its education system.”“His journey in public life, which began with the student movement, reached a significant milestone as the country’s Education Minister. During this period, he made continuous efforts to keep the importance of education at the center of the national discourse. Best wishes for your future public life, with the hope that your ‘Nation First’ sentiment remains committed to the goal of a developed India by 2047,” Tawde wrote on X.Pradhan’s resignation came as youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi—the capital’s designated protest site—intensified, with demonstrators demanding his resignation. Protests also spread to several other states, with demonstrations turning violent at multiple locations in Bihar.