Dharmendra Pradhan says he sought PM’s approval to accept protesters’ demands
‘Nothing is above national interest; I believe Gen Zs are our own,’ former Union Education Minister says
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan disclosed on August 8, 2026, that he had reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approval to accommodate the demands of recently protesting protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. PM Modi not only approved but also engaged with the young individuals involved, according to Mr. Pradhan.
Mr. Pradhan, who relinquished his role as Education Minister due to widespread student protests, reiterated that the issue was not one of personal prestige. He emphasized that the youth of Generation Z, or the new group of young people, are part of India and that it was never a matter of personal prestige for him. He addressed a gathering in Sambalpur, Odisha, which included Padma Shri awardees, stating that with approximately two crore children born in India annually, there would be nearly 20 crore young people aged 15-25 over a decade.
Mr. Pradhan highlighted their responsibility in making India a "Vishwaguru" and ensuring global welfare. He pointed out that he comes from a lineage of individuals who have made significant sacrifices and inherited those values. He stated that holding the position of Education Minister was insignificant in comparison to the responsibilities he assumed.
Mr. Pradhan recounted his meeting with PM Modi, during which he sought permission to accept the protesters' demands. The Prime Minister agreed, and subsequently, the Prime Minister interacted with the youth. Mr. Pradhan reiterated that nothing should come before the nation's interests and that fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the younger generation is a value upheld by great personalities from India.
On August 7, 2026, the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) IT Cell had posted a video on X showing protesters at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, accusing Mr. Pradhan of responsibility for the deaths of 22 students, allegedly due to suicides linked to irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination.
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