Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party, stated that the determination of young people forced the Indian government to acknowledge its “moral responsibility” regarding the NEET-UG examination leak. He described the recent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a triumph of democracy and a testament to the unity of the youth. Pawar highlighted the students’ commitment, noting the 28-day protest held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which compelled the government to respond to their demands.

In a message on social media platform X, Pawar praised the consistency of the protestors, stating, “The struggle and determination shown by the youth over 28 consecutive days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the NEET paper leak case is truly commendable.” He regarded the resignation as a clear demonstration of the collective power of students who stood firm in the face of perceived injustices.

Pawar also expressed gratitude towards opposition parties, recognising their role in supporting the protest. “Heartfelt thanks to all the MPs of the opposition parties for their moral and parliamentary support to the youth of the country,” he noted, asserting that the credit for this significant victory primarily belongs to the younger generation.

Supriya Sule Calls for Continued Reforms

Further echoing her father’s sentiments, Supriya Sule, the working president of NCP (SP) and a Lok Sabha MP, underscored that Pradhan’s resignation resulted from sustained public pressure. In her post on X, she stated, “The resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan comes only after sustained pressure from peaceful protesters, students, and the Opposition.” Sule emphasised that this resignation should not mark the end of the movement but rather the beginning of more comprehensive reforms in the education sector.

She called for increased accountability and a thorough discussion on the NEET issue within Parliament, urging that the movement should evolve into a broader reform initiative. Sule’s comments reflect an ongoing concern regarding the educational system and the need for systemic changes in response to the alleged mismanagement of examination processes.

Pradhan resigned from his position after weeks of nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. His resignation letter indicated a desire to prevent the situation from being exploited by “anti-national forces” while highlighting the need to protect the future of students amid ongoing legal complications.

Future of NEET Examination Under Review

In response to the crisis surrounding the NEET-UG exam, Pradhan defended the government’s management of the situation. He referenced the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation and the cancellation of the original exam after irregularities were revealed. Following that, a re-test for over two million candidates was successfully conducted on June 21, supported by various stakeholders, including state governments and parents.

Pradhan announced plans to conduct the NEET-UG examination entirely in Computer-Based Test mode starting next year, aimed at enhancing transparency and the integrity of the exam process. Meanwhile, the government is reportedly working on implementing a stringent anti-paper leak law, which will establish Special Fast-Track Courts and a Special Task Force as preventive measures against examination malpractices nationwide.

The Cockroach Janata Party, leading the protests, has declared that they will continue their demonstrations at Jantar Mantar until all their demands are met. Activist Sonam Wangchuk described the resignation as a victory for democracy, urging that the momentum generated by the student movement should now focus on structural reforms within the education sector.

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