Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Pralhad Joshi takes charge as education minister day after Pradhan’s resignation

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Pralhad Joshi taking charge as the Union education minister, BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal expressed confidence in his leadership.

“Pralhad Joshi is a veteran leader. He will succeed in his new role and live up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in him,” Agrawal said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav saluted the students who led the nationwide movement against the alleged NEET paper leak and demanded that cases filed against protesters be withdrawn.

“Under the agreement reached yesterday, what will happen to the cases registered against those who participated in the protests? Across the states where these protests took place, thousands of people have been booked,” PTI quoted him as saying.

He added that his older brother, JJD chief, Tej Pratap, has also been sent to judicial custody.

“In Bihar, students staged protests in almost every district and came out on the streets to fight for their rights. Bihar is the cradle of democracy and has always shown the way to the country. But the manner in which the government and the police acted across every district is a matter of concern. Hundreds and thousands of students have faced police action, and many continue to face legal cases,” he told reporters.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said that Dharmendra Pradhan did not voluntarily resign as Union Education Minister, but he was made to step down by the students and the youth of the country.

“Pradhan, the Education Minister of the country, did not resign, he was made to resign. It was not the wish of any political party or the government. It was the wish of the students, the youth, and the 130 crore people of the country that we must protect the future,” Shivakumar told reporters on Sunday.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday hailed students for their nationwide protests over the alleged exam papers leak, saying the agitation marked the beginning of a larger fight against the BJP and proved that “votes can be stolen, but not people”.

The UBT chief’s remarks come as Thackeray brothers carry out a victory parade at Shivaji Park to celebrate CJP’s win and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

“People ask us why we are talking about elections when they are still three years away. The answer is simple. Modi has now realised that votes can be stolen, but not people,” he said.

“No election has been won today. Patriots (deshbhakt) have defeated blind followers (andhbhakt). This is the beginning of a bigger struggle. This is a fight between the BJP and India,” he added.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had prioritised the interests of students and the satisfaction of citizens.

“We have all seen the extent of the trust that students across the country place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For the PM, the satisfaction of the nation’s citizens and the welfare of students are the top priorities. The protest has also come to an end,” he said.

Tiwari, however, also raised the issue of alleged paper leaks in Punjab, questioning why there had been no similar demand for accountability.

“Dharmendra Pradhan is a leader who emerged from student movements, and when this situation arose, he stepped down from his position. Why haven’t others done the same?” Tiwari said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed charge as the Union education minister after being given additional responsibility for the ministry following Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Joshi, who continues to hold the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy portfolios, will now oversee the Education Ministry as well.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Addressing the victory rally in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the students’ agitation had grown into a nationwide movement and described it as the beginning of a larger political battle.

“People ask us why we are talking about elections when they are still three years away. The answer is simple. Modi has now realised that votes can be stolen, but not people,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

“No election has been won today. Patriots (deshbhakt) have defeated blind followers (andhbhakt). This is the beginning of a bigger struggle. This is a fight between the BJP and India,” Thackeray asserted.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added, “I want to tell Prime Minister Modi that it is time to focus on the country. Your ministers are busy breaking political parties. Tell them to start working for the nation.”

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Addressing the victory rally in Mumbai to celebrate Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray hailed the student movement, saying the country’s youth had created history.

“Youth have written a golden chapter in India’s history,” Thackeray said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray greet their supporters during victory march at Shivaji Park in Mumbai

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday led a victory march in Mumbai to celebrate the student movement that culminated in Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The march, held in support of the NEET student protesters, drew supporters carrying the national flag and chanting slogans as the two leaders walked together.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in his letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accused security forces of carrying out a “barbaric assault” on students protesting in Delhi on July 20, and demanded accountability for the police action.

“Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas. Hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts,” Gandhi wrote.

He also raised concerns over the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters.

“Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries, including a journalist. I met 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain and is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns,” the letter said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: In his letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi posed two questions seeking accountability for the police action during the student protests.

“Security forces deployed in Delhi answer ultimately to you, so I ask:

As Home Minister, did you approve the use of lethal force including pellet guns against students? If not, who did?

Are the people in plain clothes seen beating students with lathis police personnel or volunteers? Who authorized their deployment?”

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for what he described as the “barbaric assault” on students during the nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak controversy.

In his letter, Gandhi sought action against those responsible for the alleged use of force on protesting students and called for accountability over the police response.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the Union education minister with additional charge, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya said the move reflected the Modi government’s priorities.

“Pralhad Joshi has been appointed Education Minister; this is his additional influence. He is also the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Minister of Renewable Energy, and Minister of Food and Public Distribution. So, one is clear. This shows how important education is to the Modi government. They needed one minister, and they have appointed one. The RSS minister is gone; they want an RSS minister, so they again have brought in an RSS minister,” Bhattacharya said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Police have stepped up security arrangements and put traffic diversions in place across parts of Mumbai ahead of the joint rally called by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday.

Additional police personnel have been deployed at key locations, while traffic routes have been regulated to manage the expected turnout at the event.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) president Vinod Jakhar credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for leading the nationwide agitation that culminated in Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

“Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the students, initiated the massive student movement. We protested against any lathi charges across the country. We opened our office doors to the students. We set up service camps, arranged for them to sleep, provided food, and provided medical kits. Even if they were facing lawsuits, legal assistance was provided,” Jakhar said, reported ANI.

He added that the NSUI would continue its agitation until all of its demands were fulfilled.

“Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, we stand with the students across the country… our fight continues,” he said.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) president Vinod Jakhar called it “a victory for millions of students” while demanding an immediate ban on the National Testing Agency (NTA).

“It’s a victory for millions of students. A corrupt institution like the NTA hasn’t been banned yet. We want it banned with immediate effect, and those guilty should be punished severely,” Jakhar told ANI.

He also urged the Centre to enact stricter laws against paper leaks and provide financial compensation to families who lost children due to the alleged examination scam.

“Strict laws should be enacted in this country against paper leaks. The government should talk to the families who lost their children over the paper leak and provide them with large financial compensation,” he said.

CJP protest updates: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) carried out an overnight cleanup drive at Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called off its 37-day protest following Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Sanitation workers were seen clearing the protest site and cleaning roads around Jantar Mantar, Tolstoy Marg, Sansad Marg, Jai Singh Marg and Connaught Place late on Saturday night.

NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal said civic officials and sanitation teams were deployed on the ground to restore normalcy in the area.

“All the NDMC officers are out on the streets. The protest has ended, and people have almost left. By morning, we believe we will clean this entire area–Tolstoy Marg, Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, Jai Singh Marg, the CP area,” Chahal told news agency ANI.

“We have a sanitation team and a washing team. We learn from the Prime Minister that we must fulfil our responsibility and accountability. Whenever we are given any responsibility, and it’s our responsibility to keep the city clean, hygienic, and tidy, we have to go down to ground zero ourselves and monitor everything and keep it in order,” he added.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday shared his first video message after Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, thanking supporters across the country for standing by the movement during its 37-day protest.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday released a video thanking supporters and critics alike after the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a “huge victory” for the country’s youth.

“It feels really good, today I finally slept in my own bedroom, without thinking what is going to happen by the evening. What we had to bear in the last 37 days was very very difficult… I would like to thank each and every supporter of Cockroach Janta Party across the country,” Dipke said.

He also expressed gratitude to those who remained at Jantar Mantar throughout the month-long protest.

“I just want to thank you all, all the people who stayed at Jantar Mantar for the past 37 days, I really really love you all. A big salute to all,” he said.

Dipke also thanked his critics, saying their criticism gave the CJP an opportunity to improve and deliver on the promises made during its first campaign.

“This is just the beginning, the Cockroach Janta Party has a long way to go,” he added.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: MNS chief Raj Thackeray has called on students, parents and supporters to join the Tiranga rally scheduled for Sunday at 10 am at Veer Savarkar Marg in Shivaji Park to celebrate Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

In a message to protesters, Thackeray said, “Heartiest congratulations to all the young guys and girls. It is because of your determination that this high-handed government finally backed down.”

“What you and your parents have endured for the last 36 days is difficult to even imagine. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena stood firmly by your side throughout this struggle and will continue to do so.”

Inviting people to the rally, he added, “To celebrate this hard-earned victory, let us gather tomorrow, as planned, at 10:00 a.m. at Veer Savarkar Marg, Shivaji Park. Bring your families along and join us in celebrating this historic achievement. This victory belongs to you.”

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah praised Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure as education minister following his resignation, saying he had introduced several key reforms in the education sector.

Shah said Pradhan had played a significant role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding PM SHRI Schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development, encouraging industry-academia collaboration, and introducing examinations in regional languages.

He added that Pradhan’s efforts to make the examination system more inclusive and student-centric were “noteworthy”, and said his tenure reflected his commitment to the goal of making India a developed nation.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah said the BJP considers the country, its youth and students more important than any position.

In a post on X, Shah wrote, “For BJP workers, the country, our youth, and students are far more important than any position. Today, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from his post exemplifies this very principle.”

He added, “The Modi government respects the sentiments of the country’s youth and is committed to implementing the necessary reforms against paper leaks. The decisions taken by Modi ji to ensure strict punishment for those guilty of paper leaks are commendable. I am fully confident that these steps will ensure complete justice for the students who succeeded in the NEET examination.”

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Congress leader TS Singh Deo said Pradhan had “become a symbol of systemic mismanagement in the NEET exam.”

“There was no expression of condolence from the government, no talk of improving the system, no talk of taking action against the NTA members, no talk of dissolving the NTA even after the death of students… The Chief Justice gave rise to deep anger among the youth by using the word cockroach… The rot that has crept into our entire system, something was needed to fix it… Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal is a powerful first step towards reforming the entire system,” he said, reported ANI.

Dharmendra Pradhan news LIVE: Reacting to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, MDMK chief Vaiko said the development was “a slap in the face for Narendra Modi,” reported PTI.