Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Pradhan Resigns, Returns to Odisha with Grand Welcome
Dharmendra Pradhan, a senior BJP leader, resigned as the Union education minister on July 25 due to irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
Upon his return to Odisha on July 28, he was warmly welcomed by BJP MLAs and ministers at the Bhubaneswar airport.
The BJP praises his resignation as a moral act, while the Congress and BJD claim he resigned under pressure from students and youths.
The welcome ceremony included slogans and a large gathering of supporters.
Pradhan also attended a book release event honoring Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, where tributes were paid to the late VHP leader.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union education minister on July 25 due to irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 examination.
He was welcomed back to Odisha on July 28 by BJP MLAs and ministers at the Bhubaneswar airport.
The BJP praises his resignation as a moral act, while the Congress and BJD claim he resigned under pressure.
26 MLAs, including five ministers, were present at the airport to welcome Pradhan.
Pradhan attended a book release event honoring Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, with RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in attendance.
- Who
- Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP MLAs, Odisha ministers, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- What
- Welcome ceremony for Dharmendra Pradhan after his resignation as Union education minister and his attendance at a book release event
- When
- July 28
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Why
- To welcome Pradhan back to Odisha after his resignation and to attend a book release event
BJP's Perspective
Congress and BJD's Perspective
Reason for Resignation
BJP's Perspective
Pradhan resigned on moral grounds due to irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 examination.
Congress and BJD's Perspective
Pradhan resigned under pressure from students and youths, not on moral grounds.
Welcome Ceremony
BJP's Perspective
The welcome ceremony reflects Pradhan's acceptability among party lawmakers and his heroic act.
Congress and BJD's Perspective
The welcome ceremony is an attempt to conceal Pradhan's failures and protect his image.
- Date of Resignation
- July 25
- Reason for Resignation
- Irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 examination
- Number of MLAs Present
- 26
- Number of Ministers Present
- 5
- Date of Welcome
- July 28
- Event Attended
- Release of a book on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati
- Chief Guest
- RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale
- Guest of Honour
- Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
