NDA MPs Give Warm Welcome to Former Education Minister (Img: X)
New Delhi: Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received a warm welcome from BJP and NDA MPs as he returned to Parliament on Monday for the first time after stepping down from the Union Cabinet over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Several BJP and NDA lawmakers gathered at Parliament's Makar Dwar to receive Pradhan. As he entered the Parliament complex, MPs raised slogans of "Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad" and escorted him inside. Party colleagues also presented him with a ceremonial cap, signalling the ruling alliance's support for the senior BJP leader despite his recent resignation.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Was Ready To Resign On Day 1 Of NEET Protest? BJP Leaders Make Explosive Claims
The show of solidarity came amid continued political debate over the handling of the NEET paper leak issue and the government's response to student protests.
While NDA MPs welcomed Pradhan, Opposition leaders held a demonstration inside the Parliament complex over the alleged use of force against students during recent protests.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were among those who participated in the protest.
The Opposition raised slogans accusing the government of suppressing student voices and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah respond to allegations of excessive police action. Opposition parties also sought the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against student protesters.
Also Read: Anti-National Forces? Here Is Why Dharmendra Pradhan Resigned
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday after weeks of nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.
In a statement following his resignation, Pradhan said he stepped down to prevent the issue from being exploited for political purposes and to ensure that ongoing reforms in the education system could continue without disruption. His resignation had been one of the key demands raised during the prolonged protests over the examination controversy.
