‘Some Tried To Mislead Gen Z’: Dharmendra Pradhan Reveals Why He Resigned As Education Minister

‘The post was not important to me’, Dharmendra Pradhan breaks his silence on resignation, reveals why he stepped away amid the NEET row and makes a big claim about attempts to influence Gen Z.

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 9 August 2026, 8:29 AM IST

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on July 25 (Img: X)

New Delhi: Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has broken his silence on his resignation amid the controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak issue. Addressing students and teachers at GM University in Sambalpur, Odisha, Pradhan said he had himself approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to step down from the Union Council of Ministers.

‘The Post Was Not Important To Me’

Pradhan said the concerns and aspirations of India’s youth were more important than any ministerial position. Referring to Generation Z, he claimed that some people attempted to mislead young students during the protests linked to the NEET controversy.

Also Read: ‘Garlanded Like Pradhan Returned From War’: Gaurav Gogoi Attacks BJP During Anti-Paper Leak Bill Debate

“Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them,” Pradhan said, adding that the future of young Indians would shape India’s journey towards becoming a global leader. He said he had no personal issues while taking the decision and prioritised the interests of students over holding office.

ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ଗଙ୍ଗାଧର ମେହେର ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ରଙ୍ଗବତୀ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ‘ମାଟିର ମହକ’ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ପଶ୍ଚିମ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ପଦ୍ମ ସମ୍ମାନିତ ପ୍ରତିଭାମାନଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ବର୍ଦ୍ଧିତ କରିବା ସହ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସାଥିରେ ଆଲୋଚନା କରିବାର ସୌଭାଗ୍ୟ ଲାଭ କଲି । ଏହି ମାଟିରେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇ ନିଜର ପ୍ରତିଭା ବଳରେ ପରିଚୟ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରି ପଦ୍ମ ପାଇଥିବା… pic.twitter.com/RzvEGZp8QD

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 8, 2026

Pradhan Opens Up On His Resignation

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on July 25 amid growing political pressure following protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process. He said he voluntarily offered his resignation and accepted the responsibility attached to the issue.

The BJP leader also highlighted his political journey, saying he became a Union Minister with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari.

Also Read: ‘Pradhan’s Resignation Is Just The Beginning’: Sonam Wangchuk After Hospital Discharge, Calls For Deeper Reforms

Political Fight Intensifies In Odisha

Pradhan also targeted former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik over protests organised against him. He said criticism and slogans would not stop him from working for the people.

Calling himself “a farmer’s son”, Pradhan said he would continue to return despite opposition. Meanwhile, the BJD hit back at Pradhan’s remarks, alleging that the criticism against him came due to the government’s handling of student protests and the NEET controversy.

The political battle over the NEET issue continues, with both BJP and opposition parties trading accusations over accountability and the future of examination reforms in India.