Dharmendra Pradhan’s first remarks since resignation: ‘Gen Z belongs to us’

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who recently resigned amid protests over the NEET paper leak incident, emphasized that the aspirations of the younger generation were of paramount importance to him. Speaking at a gathering in his parliamentary constituency, Sambalpur, Pradhan stated that he tried to communicate the resolve of the new generation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had engaged directly with them.

"I come from a land where legends like Bhimabhoi, Gopabandhu Das, and Gangadhar Meher hailed from. The welfare of the country's youth is of greater importance than my ministerial responsibilities," Pradhan conveyed, asserting that his duty superseded any other concern.

Pradhan acknowledged the aspirations of the Gen Z, highlighting that their needs must not be overlooked. "The Gen Z belongs to us... Around 20 crore of the new generation in the country have a great responsibility on their shoulders to make India the Viswaguru," he added, asserting the government's commitment to fulfilling their aspirations.

Drawing parallels with historical figures, Pradhan cited the sacrifices made by freedom fighters like Veer Surendra Sai to underline the youth's tradition of leading change and offering sacrifices. As a prominent figure from Odisha, Pradhan received a warm reception upon traveling from Bhubaneswar to his constituency.

Following his resignation on July 25, Pradhan's departure became a pivotal demand in protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi and a prerequisite for the Congress and other Opposition parties to debate legislation against the NEET-UG exam paper leak. In a post on the social media platform X, Pradhan expressed his disappointment over the protests that spread to various cities, urging the nation to prioritize the interests of the nation's young people.