Spokesperson: Shri Pawan Khera: AICC Media Chairperson Shri Pawan Khera congratulated students and unemployed youth, saying that they had “sacked” the education minister through sustained protests. He described Pradhan as a “symbol” of paper leaks, corruption in education, unemployment, police brutality and government apathy, but stressed that the Congress’ fight was against the “system”, not a single individual.

He said that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the result of pressure from students, unemployed youth and the united Opposition, asserting that the struggle was against the education system and not merely an individual. Pradhan has not resigned, he was sacked by the students and the youth of this country, said Shri Pawan Khera, MP and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department in the AICC.

He said that one of the Opposition’s key demands had been met with Pradhan’s exit, but maintained that two demands remained: fixing accountability for the police action against students and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that the education system had pushed students into despair and referred to suicides among students, saying systemic reforms were necessary. The Congress leader noted that protesters were subjected to lathi-charge, tear gas, water cannons, pellet guns and shock batons, and added that Opposition leaders, including Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were manhandled while supporting students.

Shri Pawan Khera said that the Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation marked not the end of the struggle, but only its beginning. He added that the signs of Narendra Modi’s departure were becoming increasingly evident, but that he was leaving while ruining the future of millions of people.

He said that the Prime Minister was attempting to portray himself as a friend of the youth through social media, but young people did not consider him their friend. He added that if Narendra Modi were truly a friend of the youth, he would not have ordered police action against students and would have shown Dharmendra Pradhan the door much earlier.

He said that Congress would continue supporting student protests until justice was delivered, adding that anger among youth extended beyond the NEET issue to unemployment and government insensitivity. Saturday, July 25, 2026