IBNS-CMEDIA: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded the complete removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Cabinet, rejecting any possibility of the minister being shifted to another portfolio amid the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Speaking to the media after meeting a group of protesting students, the Congress leader backed their demand for Pradhan’s removal, saying merely changing his ministry would not address the concerns of students.
‘Shifting him to another ministry is not acceptable’
Gandhi said: “Modi ji, your conspiracy to save your ‘friend’ by removing him from one ministry and seating him in another is not acceptable to the country’s students and the people of India.”
He further alleged: “Dharmendra Pradhan is responsible for the symbols of corruption and the destruction of the country’s education system, as well as the deaths of numerous students.”
Reiterating the Opposition’s stand, Gandhi added: “We will not allow him to ruin anyone else’s life now. Dharmendra Pradhan will have to leave the Cabinet—this is a non-negotiable demand.”
मोदी जी, अपने “फ्रैंड” को एक मंत्रालय से हटाकर दूसरे में बैठाकर बचाने की आपकी साज़िश देश के छात्रों और भारत की जनता को मंज़ूर नहीं।
धर्मेंद्र प्रधान भ्रष्टाचार और देश की education system की बर्बादी के चिन्ह और अनेक छात्रों की मौतों के ज़िम्मेदार हैं।
उन्हें अब किसी और की… pic.twitter.com/tVesZvNu3m
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 25, 2026
‘No point in talks without decision on Pradhan’: CJP
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is spearheading the protest from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has reiterated its demand for Pradhan’s resignation ahead of a fresh round of talks with the Centre on Saturday, according to media reports.
Ahead of the meeting, the CJP said the government must clarify whether it is prepared to remove Pradhan from his post, indicating that the minister’s resignation remains a non-negotiable demand.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, “In yesterday’s meeting, we received a positive response regarding compensation and legal matters. An in-principle agreement was reached.
“We hope that today we will also receive the written agreement, but the main demand—regarding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation—has not yet seen any concrete decision.”
He added, “If Pradhan does not resign, let us know; then there is no point in holding meetings like this. We will work on our future strategy.”
आशुतोष रांका,
“…कल की बैठक में कम्पेनसेशन और लीगल मामलों को लेकर सकारात्मक प्रतिक्रिया मिली। एक इन-प्रिंसिपल एग्रीमेंट हुआ था। हमें उम्मीद है कि आज वह रिटर्न एग्रीमेंट भी मिल जाएगा लेकिन जो मुख्य मांग है- धर्मेंद्र प्रधान के इस्तीफे को लेकर अभी तक कोई ठोस फैसला नहीं आया है……
— Cockroach Janta Party (@CJP_for_India) July 25, 2026
Protest gathers momentum across the country
Thousands of protesters remain camped at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the epicentre of the nationwide NEET agitation, demanding Pradhan’s resignation as demonstrations continue to spread to several major cities.
The Centre, which had earlier refrained from directly engaging with the protesters, has now initiated dialogue with CJP representatives in an effort to break the deadlock and reach a resolution.
