Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 26, 2026, following widespread student protests over irregularities in the NEET examination. The resignation has ignited a broader discussion on the state of democracy, the credibility of institutions, and the effectiveness of street protests as a tool for change.
Street as Last Resort for Citizens
Hira Sharma, in a letter to the editor, argued that the street has become the last resort not for the opposition, but for the aggrieved masses. “Politicians across the spectrum are rapidly losing public credibility — those in the ruling dispensation by reducing themselves to yes-men with little influence in decision-making, and the fragile opposition with their legislators getting poached by the ruling party like chattels,” Sharma wrote. He added that people are losing faith in the country’s institutions, and when cracks appear in the pillars of democracy, the investigating agencies, and the bureaucracy, the only option left is the street sans any political game.
Opposition Opportunity
Ramesh Gupta, from Narwana, noted that the Congress, facing an existential crisis, has found the student protests a godsend to blame the BJP for the NEET mess. He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi put both his government and personal reputation at stake by removing Pradhan as Education Minister. “The opposition is now looking for opportunities to oppose the BJP more on the streets than in Parliament. It appears increasingly inclined to capitalise on public agitations to regain political relevance,” Gupta said.
Beyond Punishment: Comprehensive Exam Reform
Parvinder Singh, from Chandigarh, emphasized that stricter punishment alone cannot eradicate examination malpractices. “Exam integrity requires a comprehensive approach — secure digital systems, strict confidentiality, independent audits, accountability at every level, and time-bound investigation and prosecution,” Singh wrote. He called for foolproof protocols in question paper preparation, printing, transportation, and storage, with minimal human intervention. Technology should be effectively deployed without compromising security, and examination bodies must rebuild students’ trust by ensuring transparency, fairness, and zero tolerance for unethical practices.
Youth’s Right to Question Policies
Devina Badhwar, from Rohtak, highlighted the importance of student participation in a democracy. “Students are not merely learners, they are responsible citizens with the right to question policies that affect their education and future,” she wrote. She argued that peaceful protests and constructive criticism should be seen as signs of awareness, not indiscipline. Silencing young voices weakens democratic values, while listening to them encourages accountability and progress. Educational institutions should nurture independent thinking instead of blind obedience.
Government Accountability
Parry Garg, from Ludhiana, called the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan a win for democracy. “A democratic government is elected by the people and is fully accountable to them. The youth has forced the Centre to take action,” Garg said. He criticized the government for often trying to manipulate and suppress issues raised by political parties on behalf of the public. The ideal response, he argued, would be to acknowledge mistakes and take corrective measures. Seeking Pradhan’s resignation is just the first step; long-term measures must follow.
Better Late Than Never
Raj Kumar Goyal, from Patiala, noted that Pradhan’s resignation came late but was welcome. He compared it to resignations of former ministers like Lal Bahadur Shastri, TT Krishnamachari, VK Krishna Menon, Madhavrao Scindia, Nitish Kumar, and Shivraj Patil, who resigned accepting moral responsibility. “Although Pradhan had to quit amid heightened students’ anger against the broken education system, even then it can be said that it is better late than never,” Goyal wrote. He called for overhauling regulatory bodies like the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
