As Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters and various opposition parties hailed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday (July 25) following weeks of protests over the NEET paper-leak fiasco, leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised the leader, saying his exit was not a setback but evidence that the Narendra Modi government is responsible towards the country’s youth.

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, meanwhile, made a veiled statement saying at an event in New Delhi on Friday (July 24) that students needed emotional support and not criticism in cases of failure.

Rijiju, Rajnath Laud Pradhan

Stretching from Union ministers and MPs to chief ministers of various BJP-ruled states, appreciation flowed for the heavyweight leader and the government. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described Pradhan’s political journey as a “testament” to decades of engagement with public life and student welfare.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Pradhan’s resignation reflects how safeguarding students’ futures is of “paramount importance” for Modi and the National Democratic government. He added that the Centre is treating NEET- concerns “with utmost seriousness and sensitivity”, and expressed confidence that students would now return their focus to studies and aspirations.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari called the minister’s resignation an unprecedented and empathetic gesture toward Gen Z, crediting Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for the government’s sensitivity toward student concerns during the crisis.

Vinod Tawde, MP and National General Secretary, said a strong nation is defined by its education system and Pradhan has always accorded the utmost importance to this idea throughout his public life.

“Best wishes for your future public life, with the hope that your “Nation First” sentiment remains committed to the goal of a developed India by 2047,” he said in a post on X.

BJP CMs’ shoutout to Pradhan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis credited Pradhan with steering major education reforms, including the National Education Policy (NEP), the launch of PM SHRI Schools, the overseas expansion of IITs, and conducting national entrance exams in 19 languages. He framed Pradhan’s resignation as placing national interest above personal considerations — “the hallmark of a true BJP karyakarta.”

His Chhattisgarh counterpart Vishnu Deo Sai lauded Pradhan’s contribution to governance and said his decision to resign reflected his unwavering commitment to moral values and principles in public life.

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“..Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he (Pradhan) has played a significant role over the past 12 years, serving as a Union minister, in realising the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India),” he said in a post on X in Hindi.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude for Pradhan, saying on X that the latter worked tirelessly “to restore the civilisational spirit of Bharat and to decolonise our education system”.

“His unwavering commitment to implementing the National Education Policy, despite the political challenges it entailed, will be remembered as one of his finest contributions to nation-building,” the BJP leader added.

Pradhan, who is an MP from Sambalpur, Odisha, completed five years as the education minister earlier in July.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark

Bhagwat on Friday used a public address to weigh in on how society should support young people through setbacks — a message that, while not directly about the NEET row, resonated with the moment.

Also read: ‘After Pradhan’s exit, protecting students from retaliation next big challenge’

“Today’s terminology speaks of IQ and EQ. Emotional intelligence is what really matters. Intelligence alone is not enough. We have all seen brilliant people who fail in life because they cannot cope with setbacks,” Bhagwat said, while addressing a question-and-answer session after his lecture on Yuganukul Matrutva (Contemporary Motherhood) at an event organised by Vishwamangalya Sabha in New Delhi.

He also urged parents to lead by example in dealing with the influence of social media, saying children imitate what they see at home and develop their character by observing elders.

(With agency inputs)