The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday took out a march in Mohali's Mataur area, celebrating the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a victory of democracy. Party leaders credited the long struggle of the country's youth for this outcome, highlighting scandals such as paper leaks that allegedly jeopardized the future of lakhs of students.
March in Mohali
During the march, AAP workers raised slogans in favor of the youth and described the development as a win for democracy and people's power. The event took place against the backdrop of widespread protests by students over irregularities in competitive exams, including the NEET paper leak case. According to AAP leaders, Pradhan's resignation marked a triumph for the student movement that had been demanding accountability from the central government.
Hundreds of party supporters participated in the march, which wound through the streets of Mataur, a suburb of Mohali. The AAP has positioned itself as a champion of youth rights, and this march was seen as part of its ongoing campaign ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, which some observers view as a semifinal for the state polls.
Congress Candlelight March
In a parallel demonstration, the Congress party organized a candlelight march in Dera Bassi, near Mohali, to express solidarity with students who had protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The march was led by Congress leader Amit Bawa Saini and saw the participation of hundreds of party workers. Participants demanded accountability from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, holding it responsible for the alleged mismanagement of examinations and the subsequent protests.
The candlelight march underscored the Congress party's support for the student cause, echoing the sentiments of the AAP. Both parties have used the resignation as a rallying point to criticize the BJP, accusing it of failing to protect the interests of students and allowing corruption to fester in the education system.
Background and Impact
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation came after months of student-led protests over paper leaks in several national-level entrance exams, including NEET and UGC NET. The controversy had sparked nationwide outrage, with students demanding reforms and accountability. The resignations of key officials involved in exam administration had preceded Pradhan's departure. The marches in Mohali and Dera Bassi reflect the political capital that both AAP and Congress are trying to gain from the issue, as they gear up for the next round of state elections.
