Investigation into paper leak cases to be completed within two months: Bill
Wayanad (Kerala), July 25: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying the government had been “forced to bend” before the youth and students of India.
Vadra termed the development a victory for the country’s youth and students, “who did not bend”.
“Force was used against them. Pellet guns, water cannons and tear gas were used against them. But the youth and the students did not bend; the government had to bend. It is a victory for the youth and students of India,” she told reporters here, following reports of Pradhan’s resignation.
“I was really and truly happy when I heard the news,” she added.
She said the country’s students had begun taking matters into their own hands and had proved that “if you stand up for what is right, every right-thinking Indian, everyone who believes in the Constitution, everyone who respects the freedom struggle, will stand by you”.
She complimented all those who stood by the students’ movement led by her brother Rahul Gandhi, the Congress and its youth wing in support of those protesting against alleged irregularities in various examinations, including NEET.
A bill to amend a two-year-old anti-paper leak law, which proposes to set up fast-track courts in every state for speedy trials of accused, is set for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months.
‘PM’s apology still awaited’
The Congress on Saturday termed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a victory for the students who maintained sustained pressure on the government but said this was not the end as the prime minister is yet to apologise to the students.
The opposition party called it a victory for a generation tired of struggling in an “unfair and corrupt” system, and for an opposition that demonstrated rock-solid unity and solidarity with the students.
‘Sunday’s rally to be held to congratulate youth’
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray have said the rally organised by the two parties in central Mumbai on Sunday will take place as planned to congratulate the country’s youth.
The youth have brought the country out of the “atmosphere of fear”, Uddhav Thackeray said at a joint press conference following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak issue.
‘Accountability cannot be indefinitely evaded’
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister is an acknowledgment of the fact that accountability in a democracy cannot be indefinitely evaded.
Resignation reflects BJP’s philosophy of ‘nation first’
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Saturday said Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation reflects BJP’s philosophy of “nation first, party next, self last”.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, democracy means listening to the people, respecting their voice and having the courage to take responsibility when the moment demands it, the minister said.
‘Pradhan made significant contributions’
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had made significant contributions and had brought meaningful reforms to the education system.
Earlier in the day, Pradhan resigned from his post following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country for his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy. (PTI)
