Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns: The Opposition leaders hailed the student protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said it was a big win for democracy.
"Congratulations to the entire country on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Big win for democracy," he said in a video message.
"People started losing faith in democracy. They used to think that the government does not listen to the public, but now the arrogance of the government has to bow down. The government must understand it is its duty to listen to the voice of the people," he added.
Huge Step Towards Reshaping Education System: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is a huge step towards reshaping our education system.
"Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you. Heartiest congratulations to every young person, every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution, and their future," he said in a video message.
2 demands still remain - the Prime Minister should apologise while respecting the students and India's future, and action should be taken against those guilty of violence against students, he added.
"For other sections of society—farmers, labourers, the poor, every person whom this government has suppressed and crushed—true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional manner for one's dignity. The time has come to remove this government. Don't be afraid!," his post read.
Big Victory For New Generation: Akhilesh Yadav
Speaking over the Pradhan's resignation, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said it was a major victory for the new generation. "The government will have to think very seriously about everything from primary education to higher education. Concrete steps will have to be taken to prevent exam paper leaks. This movement of the youth spread through the internet and social media in today's times, and on the streets, ultimately led to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the world's largest party, which has countless allies, to bow down," he added.
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It Is Shared Victory Of Opposition: Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said this was the victory of millions of youth who raised their voices on the streets across the country to fix the education system.
"India's ‘students' voice has finally reached the threshold of the arrogant government. This is the victory of our millions of youth who raised their voices on the streets across the country to fix the education system. This is the victory of truth and the defeat of Mr Modi's stubbornness," Kharge said in an X post.
"This is the victory of all those families who lost their blood, their children, because this government is corrupt. This is the victory of the united Opposition, who raised their voices from Parliament to the streets in the interest of the students. Now it is Mr Modi's turn to apologise to our young generation and to take strict action against those who unleashed lathis, batons, and pellet guns on them," he added.
Priyanka Gandhi Praises Rahul Gandhi's Contribution
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi praised her party, the NSUI and Youth Congress, along with brother Rahul Gandhi after Pradhan stepped down.
"We in the Congress Party have tried our best to support them in the strongest way possible. Rahul Gandhi has been speaking about the issue of paper leaks and examination reforms for a long time. I think it has been more than two or three years that he has consistently raised this issue. I also want to compliment him because he raised this issue and inspired the rest of us in the party, the NSUI, and the Youth Congress not only to support the students but also to build a movement across the country for students' rights and for reform of our education system."
"I believe this is only the beginning, but I am truly, truly happy. I became a little emotional when I heard this news because, many times over the last 10 or 12 years, I have asked myself: When are our young people going to wake up? Look at what is being done to our country. The RSS is filling the entire education system, every post, every vice-chancellor's position. The ideology of our forefathers is being undermined. Force is being used against young people and against anyone who raises their voice in protest. Today, I am a very happy person because the youth of our country has spoken, and nobody will ever dare to silence their voices," she added.
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh's Reaction
TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said, "He (Pradhan) should have done it earlier. BJP was trying to protect him. This is the victory of the people and students who were protesting. This is the victory of the whole country."