NEW DELHI — Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down amid widespread student outrage over the NEET exam paper leak controversy.
President Droupadi Murmu accepted Pradhan's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers after weeks of escalating nationwide protests demanding structural overhaul and accountability in national competitive examinations.
Speaking to reporters in the capital shortly after the official announcement, Joshi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stated he was taking on the high-profile assignment with a sense of responsibility and humility.
"In the last 12 years of Prime Minister Modi's government, many historic achievements have been made. Over the past four to five years, Dharmendra Pradhan implemented the National Education Policy and spearheaded several key initiatives," Joshi said. "Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will strive to perform to the best of my ability and fulfill my duties with dedication."
Pradhan’s exit followed intense political and social pressure spearheaded by student groups, including the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Announcing his resignation earlier in the day, Pradhan remarked that holding office was "not a matter of individual prestige," acknowledging that he was deeply distressed by the sequence of events over the past ten days.
Student Movement Issues Warning to New Leadership
Reacting to the ministerial reshuffle, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das stated that the change in leadership was a direct outcome of student mobilization across the country, but cautioned that a change of faces alone would not suffice.
"Our concerns and demands resonated with the youth across the nation, which is why this movement gained such massive traction," Das said. "Whoever assumes the office of Education Minister must understand that the youth are watching closely. They will demand accountability, and the ministry must act in their best interest."
Das reiterated that student representatives expect the government to enforce strict measures against recurring paper leaks and implement all five points listed in their charter of demands. He added that CJP representatives intend to meet with the newly appointed Education Minister in the coming days.
"The government has committed to convening a meeting within a month, and we will closely monitor their actions moving forward," Das asserted.
