A large crowd welcomed former <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/former-union-minister-dharmendra-pradhan-welcomed-by-bjp-after-resignation-congress-calls-it-shameful-23641921" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Union Education Minister and BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan</a> at the Bhubaneswar Airport here on Tuesday.
Pradhan resigned from the post of Union Education Minister on July 25.
Earlier on July 25, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers amid nationwide protests over the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/court-directs-director-of-prosecution-to-depute-prosecutor-to-represent-cbi-in-neet-paper-leak-case-23641804" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">NEET-UG 2026 paper leak</a> controversy.
Pradhan stated that he was stepping down in the larger interest of students to ensure that the country's youth do not become "trapped in a web of confusion."In his resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan highlighted his long-standing association with education and reaffirmed his commitment to the aspirations of India's youth.
"For more than four decades, I have been associated with students, teachers, and the cause of education reform. I have always believed that a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking education system is the foundation of a strong nation," Pradhan said.
Recalling the NEET-UG controversy, Pradhan stated that the Centre acted promptly after irregularities surfaced in the May 3 examination.
"However, irregularities were found in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, 2026. The Government of India immediately took cognisance of the matter, handed over the investigation to the CBI, cancelled the examination, and announced a date for the re-examination. Along with this, it was decided that from next year onwards, the examination would be conducted in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/sc-to-closely-monitor-centres-road-map-for-neet-reforms-seeks-detailed-affidavit-23641405" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode</a>," he said.
Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Modi for granting him the opportunity to serve as Education Minister and expressed gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues, ministry officials, and staff.
"I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister for his guidance, trust, and continuous support... Serving the nation is the highest priority of my life, and I will always remain dedicated to it," he said.
This development comes amidst widespread nationwide protests and follows the 26-day hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has lined up top leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal, and Gaurav Gogoi, to address the Lok Sabha here on Tuesday on 'The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026', according to INDIA bloc sources.
The Lok Sabha is likely to begin the debate on the anti-paper leak Bill at 2 PM.
While signalling a readiness to participate in parliamentary deliberations over the anti-paper leak legislation, the Opposition underscored that its participation remains contingent on central assurances regarding recent law enforcement action against protesting students.
"We are neither against the paper leak bill nor discussion on it; we fully support any move to strengthen exams, but we need an answer on pellet guns and excessive use of force against protesting students," an INDIA bloc source stated.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received a warm welcome from supporters at Bhubaneswar airport days after his resignation

Dharmendra Pradhan gets grand welcome in Bhubaneswar after exit

Bombay HC to hear Nitin Gadkari's plea against Meta, X, Google over alleged deepfake videos on August 5

Earlier on July 25, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan receives warm welcome at Bhubaneswar airport

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / News / India News / Article / Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan receives warm welcome at Bhubaneswar airport