Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Dharmendra Pradhan Says Gen Z Was Misled, Explains NEET Resignation
Dharmendra Pradhan used to be the minister in charge of education in India.
He quit that job because many students were upset about a big medical entrance exam called NEET, believing the exam paper had been leaked, and they held big protests in Delhi.
Recently, he explained why he left, saying some people tried to mislead young people, called 'Gen Z,' with wrong information.
He said young people in India have big dreams and will one day help make the country a world leader.
He told everyone that about 20 crore children were born in India over the last ten years, and that the minister's job was never his main goal.
He also traded arguments with a leader named Naveen Patnaik, whose party members held 'Go Back' protests against him.
Pradhan said he is a farmer's son and that even if people ask him to go back, he will come back.
The rival BJD party said the government was too rough with peaceful student protesters, using tear gas and batons, and that Pradhan's own party and government defamed him.
Police detained about 30 BJD workers as a precaution, and BJD leaders claimed that 21 children died by suicide because of the exam controversy.
Dharmendra Pradhan broke his silence two weeks after resigning, saying some people attempted to 'mislead' Gen Z during the NEET paper leak protests and calling himself a 'victim of Gen Z'.
He said he personally approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign, stepping down as Union Education Minister on July 25, 2026.
Pradhan said about two crore children are born in India every year and nearly 20 crore were born over the last decade, adding that the ministerial post 'was not important to me'.
Responding to 'Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back' protests, he hit back at BJD president Naveen Patnaik: 'I am a farmer's son. Even if you tell me to go back, I will come back.'
BJD's Rohit Pujari blamed police lathi-charge and tear gas during the Jantar Mantar agitation for Pradhan's criticism, while Sambalpur police detained about 30 BJD workers.
- Who
- Dharmendra Pradhan, senior BJP leader, Sambalpur MP and former Union Education Minister; Prime Minister Narendra Modi; BJD president Naveen Patnaik; BJD leaders Rohit Pujari and Prasanna Acharya; RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
- What
- Pradhan broke his silence on his resignation, saying attempts were made to mislead Gen Z during the NEET paper leak protests, and traded accusations with BJD leaders over the handling of the student agitation.
- When
- Saturday, August 9, 2026 — two weeks after he resigned on July 25, 2026.
- Where
- GM University in Bhubaneswar (reported as Sambalpur by some outlets) and a separate gathering in Rairakhol, Odisha; the student protests were staged at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- Why
- Amid massive student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy, led by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar, and the resulting BJP-BJD political confrontation in Odisha; Pradhan's remarks came as PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stepped up efforts to engage Gen Z.
BJP / Pradhan Camp
BJD / Pujari Camp
Blame for the NEET protests
BJP / Pradhan Camp
Some people attempted to mislead Gen Z during the protests; Pradhan said he had no personal issues, offered his resignation to PM Modi himself and quit because young Indians' aspirations mattered more than his post.
BJD / Pujari Camp
Nobody defamed Pradhan; his own party and government defamed him through police lathi-charge, tear gas and atrocities during the peaceful student agitation at Jantar Mantar.
Student criticism and alleged deaths
BJP / Pradhan Camp
Pradhan said he met PM Modi and asked to acknowledge Gen Z's concerns rather than let grievances be exploited politically, and claimed he has never disgraced the people of Odisha through his work.
BJD / Pujari Camp
Pujari alleged that 21 children died by suicide because of Pradhan, that around 21 lakh of the 22 lakh NEET candidates must be under depression, and concluded 'he has defamed himself'.
Protests against Pradhan in Odisha
BJP / Pradhan Camp
Pradhan accused BJD president Naveen Patnaik of calling him a disgrace to Odisha and involving young people in 'Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back' protests near the airport; he said even if told to go back, he will come back.
BJD / Pujari Camp
Pujari said Pradhan faced criticism because of the government's handling of the student agitation and questioned why Patnaik would want to defame him.
- Former Role
- Union Education Minister (BJP) and Sambalpur MP
- Resignation Date
- July 25, 2026
- Context
- NEET paper leak controversy; student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party at Delhi's Jantar Mantar
- Key Quote
- 'Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them.'
- Venue Discrepancy
- GM University address reported as Bhubaneswar by most outlets vs Sambalpur by some outlets
- Alleged Suicide Deaths
- 21 children, per BJD's Rohit Pujari (allegation)
- NEET Candidates
- 22 lakh students appeared, per Rohit Pujari
- Detentions
- Around 30 BJD workers detained by Sambalpur police
Sources
‘I have been a victim of Gen Z’: Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence on NEET protests and resignation
Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence on resignation over NEET paper leak: ‘Some tried to mislead GenZ’
‘Some Attempted To Mislead Gen Z’: Pradhan On Why He Resigned As Education Minister Amid NEET Row
Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence on resignation, calls himself 'victim of Gen Z'
'Gen Z Was Misled': Dharmendra Pradhan Explains Why He Resigned, Says Ministerial Post Was Never Important
Pradhan Says He Quit After Attempts Made To Mislead Gen Z During NEET Protests
In first reaction after resignation, Dharmendra Pradhan says ‘some people misled Gen Z protesters’
Dharmendra Pradhan, in First Remarks Since Resignation, Says ‘Some Misled Gen Z’
Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence on resignation, says he volunteered to step down
Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence after NEET protests, says Gen Z was misled, reveals why he offered to resign from Modi cabinet
