Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday. He argued that the ongoing controversy over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination should not harm students or allow anti-national forces to use it for political gains. Meanwhile, announcing his decision through a public letter, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called it a step taken in the larger interest of the country and its youth.
Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Over NEET Row
In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan said the events of the past few days had deeply saddened him. Moreover, he maintained that while differences of opinion are natural in a democracy, the future of students should never become a victim of political conflict. It should also never suffer because of prolonged uncertainty.
Furthermore, he said the situation that emerged after the NEET-UG controversy should not let anti-national forces exploit it. He also stressed that national unity must remain above politics. According to him, protecting the aspirations of students was more important than holding on to any position.
Students Must Not Pay the Price, Says Dharmendra Pradhan
Dharmendra Pradhan made it clear that his resignation was not an attempt to save his image. Instead, he described it as a moral responsibility that he felt compelled to take. He added that India’s youth are not only the future of the country but also the driving force behind its progress. Therefore, their dreams should never be compromised.
Furthermore, he added that from the very beginning, his focus had been on ensuring that no deserving student suffered because of the examination controversy. He said every hardworking candidate deserved a fair opportunity. For that, restoring confidence in the examination system was essential.
Government Defends NEET Response, Announces Reforms
Meanwhile, while stepping down, Pradhan defended the Centre’s response to the issue. He said that once irregularities came to light, the government acted quickly. It handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It also cancelled the affected examination and announced a re-examination.
According to him, the government took these decisions to safeguard the interests of genuine students rather than allow uncertainty to continue. Moreover, he noted that state governments, district administrations, parents, guardians and students helped complete the re-examination successfully on June 21.
Additionally, Pradhan said he accepted responsibility from the very first day of the controversy. He never tried to distance himself from the issue. His commitment, he said, was always to ensure that deserving students were not denied justice.
Speaking about the way forward, Pradhan said the government is introducing major reforms to make national entrance examinations more transparent and secure. One of the key changes will be to conduct the NEET-UG examination in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year. He added that technology-driven reforms would strengthen the credibility of the examination process. They would also reduce the chances of similar controversies in the future. Finally, the objective, he added, is to create a system that students and parents can trust without hesitation.
Pradhan Thanks PM Modi, Centre Plans Anti-Paper Leak Law
Pradhan also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation as Education Minister. He said serving the country had always been the highest priority of his public life. He also thanked the Prime Minister for his guidance and unwavering support throughout his tenure.
He said he has always respected the aspirations and emotions of India’s young generation and believes helping them realise their dreams is a responsibility that goes beyond politics.
Along with reforms in examinations, the Centre is also preparing a stringent anti-paper leak law aimed at preventing such incidents in the future. The proposed legislation is expected to provide for Special Fast-Track Courts and a Special Task Force (STF) to deal with paper leak cases and ensure swift action against those involved.
Pradhan said these measures are intended to strengthen the integrity of the country’s examination system. They will also reassure millions of students that merit and fairness will continue to remain at the heart of competitive examinations.
Read more on ANI.
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