Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Union education minister amid massive student protests

NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday tendered his resignation from the Council of Ministers amid the ongoing protests over the NEET paper leak.In a letter addressed to his "young friends," Pradhan said that he has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country."I have been dedicated to students, teachers, and education reform for more than four decades. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive, and visionary education system is the very foundation of a strong nation. I deeply respect the aspirations, emotions, and just expectations of the country's youth. Realizing the dreams of India's young generation has been a moral commitment of all of us in political and social life. I express my gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister for the opportunity he gave me to serve the nation under his visionary leadership," Pradhan said."Considering the situation that has developed at Jantar Mantar and across the country — that anti-national forces should not take advantage of this situation, that the unity of the country should be preserved, that not even a single student's future should get entangled in legal complications, and that our children should devote their time to studies and focus on building their careers — I have sent my resignation to the Hon'ble Prime Minister," he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.