- Pralhad Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry.
- President accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation with immediate effect.
- Pradhan said he stepped down to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation.
- CJP ended its 35-day protest after the Centre agreed to its key demands.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th July: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education, hours after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers.
The appointment was announced through an official communiqué issued by the President’s office following the acceptance of Pradhan’s resignation. Joshi will continue to serve as the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution while also handling the Education Ministry.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he had decided to step down after more than a month of protests over alleged examination paper leaks to prevent “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation.
“For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation,” Pradhan said.
He added that his decision was taken in the larger interest of safeguarding the integrity of the education system amid the ongoing controversy.
The resignation came on the 35th day of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The organisation had made Pradhan’s resignation its principal demand while protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and paper leaks.
Shortly after the resignation, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, addressing a joint press conference with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, announced the withdrawal of the protest.
The CJP said it was ending the agitation “in good faith” after the Centre assured that its demands, including examination reforms and other concerns, would be addressed.
A day before assuming additional charge of the Education Ministry, Joshi had reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting students’ interests and ensuring accountability in cases of examination irregularities.
“The Modi government has always stood with students and the youth. It remains committed to taking strict action against any irregularities or injustices that affect their future,” Joshi had told reporters.
While supporting students’ right to peaceful protest, Joshi had also cautioned that “anti-social elements” should not be allowed to exploit the movement.
With Joshi taking over the additional charge, the Centre is expected to continue implementing measures announced in recent days to strengthen the examination system, curb paper leaks and restore public confidence in the country’s recruitment and entrance examinations.
