New Delhi, July 27: A fresh political confrontation erupted in Parliament on Monday after the Congress criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for publicly welcoming former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan days after his resignation, questioning the message such celebrations send to students amid the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
The criticism followed Pradhan’s arrival at Parliament, where BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Members of Parliament greeted him with slogans and ceremonial honours. Congress alleged that the reception overlooked the issues that led to his resignation and called for greater accountability over the examination controversy and the handling of student protests.
Congress General Secretary (Communications) and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh questioned whether the BJP considered Pradhan’s tenure as Education Minister a success despite the allegations surrounding the examination process.
In a social media post, Ramesh said BJP MPs welcomed Pradhan “as if he has achieved some great feat.” He alleged that instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation letter, the former minister had accused students of being misled. Ramesh further claimed that several Union ministers later praised Pradhan on social media, describing the sequence of events as “utterly shameful” and “a grave insult” to the country’s youth.
He also questioned whether the BJP viewed Pradhan’s performance as commendable despite the alleged paper leaks, what he described as the deteriorating education system, and allegations relating to police action against protesting students, including lathi-charge and pellet firing.
Ramesh said the BJP should clarify whether the public welcome reflected its endorsement of Pradhan’s record and argued that the country deserved an explanation.
Earlier in the day, Pradhan received a warm reception from BJP and NDA parliamentarians upon arriving at Parliament. As he stepped out of his vehicle with folded hands, fellow MPs raised slogans in his support. During the gathering, one MP presented him with a traditional headgear while another draped a shawl over his shoulders.
Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protests led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supporting groups over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Following his resignation, the CJP announced the conclusion of its protest campaign.
Subsequently, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi was assigned the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry after Pradhan stepped down from the Cabinet.
