Approached PM Narendra Modi and offered to resign: Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence

Dharmendra Pradhan Addresses Resignation Amidst Youth Protests

Indiadailyupdate.com – Senior BJP figure and ex-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently spoke publicly about his decision to step down from the Union Council of Ministers. The Sambalpur MP made these comments while addressing students and faculty at Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, Odisha, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. This gathering occurred approximately two weeks after he announced his departure following widespread demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Pradhan revealed that he personally approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tender his resignation. His departure came on July 25, 2026, as a result of protests spearheaded by the youth movement known as Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which were triggered by the NEET examination paper leak controversy.

Reflections on Gen Z and Public Service

During his address, the former minister expressed concern that certain individuals tried to misdirect the younger generation during the ongoing demonstrations. He emphasized that the youth represent India’s future and possess significant aspirations for the nation.

Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them. I had no personal issues then. At least two crore children are born in India every year. During the last 10 years, 20 crore children were born. They have aspirations, and they will make India the ‘Vishwa Guru’. The post was not important to me.

Pradhan also recalled that he assumed the role of Union minister twelve years prior, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari, who serves as the presiding deity of Sambalpur.

Response to BJD Criticism

At a separate meeting held in Rairakhol, Pradhan addressed comments made by former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who heads the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The BJD president had criticized Pradhan publicly, with party workers raising slogans demanding his return to Sambalpur.

I am a farmer’s son. Even if you tell me to go back, I will come back.

Pradhan noted that Patnaik had labeled him as a disgrace to Odisha’s citizens and characterized him negatively. However, the BJP leader questioned whether he had ever done anything to bring shame to his home state, receiving enthusiastic affirmations from the audience.

Naveen Babu also calls me a disgrace to the people of Odisha and a bad person. Have I ever done anything that will shame the people of Odisha? I may not be bringing laurels for the state, but I have never disgraced the people by my work. I will never do any work which will tarnish the state’s reputation.

Pradhan mentioned that he consulted Prasanna Acharya, a BJD MLA and deputy leader in the Odisha Assembly, before deciding to return. Acharya had encouraged him to come back and assured him of a warm welcome.

Keeping in view the BJD’s protests, I had consulted Prasanna Bhai whether I should go. Prasanna Babu told me to come and assured me that I would be welcomed. I came here after taking his permission.

BJD’s Counter-Arguments

Rohit Pujari, the BJD Sambalpur district president and former minister, responded sharply to Pradhan’s statements. He argued that the BJP leader faced legitimate criticism regarding how student protests were managed, particularly concerning police actions at Jantar Mantar.

Nobody had defamed Pradhan. His party and government have defamed him by police resorting to lathi-charge, tear gas, and atrocities during the peaceful student agitation at Jantar Mantar. Pradhan was facing criticism because of such incidents. I do not understand why he blames Patnaik for the police excesses on agitating students.

Pujari further pointed out that twenty-one children had lost their lives by suicide in connection with the NEET examination, and approximately twenty-one lakh out of twenty-two lakh examinees were experiencing depression. He concluded that Pradhan had essentially brought criticism upon himself through his party’s policies rather than through any external defamation.

Why would Patnaik want to defame him? The whole country knows that 21 children died by suicide because of him. Of the 22 lakh students who appeared for the examination, around 21 lakh students must be under depression. Nobody needs to defame him; he has defamed himself.

Meanwhile, Sambalpur police detained approximately thirty BJD workers as a precautionary step, expecting additional demonstrations from the party’s youth and student organizations.