'Some people misled Gen Z': Dharmendra Pradhan breaks silence days after resignation, explains move
PTC News Desk: Former Union Education Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said some people had tried to mislead Gen Z students during the protests over the NEET paper leak. He made the remarks while explaining his decision to resign from the Union Cabinet.
Pradhan said the ministerial position was never important to him and that he had personally approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign.
He made the comments while speaking to students and teachers at GM University in Bhubaneswar, two weeks after stepping down as Education Minister on July 25 following student protests over the NEET paper leak.
“Gen Z is our children. Some people tried to mislead them,” Pradhan said. He added that he had no personal problems with the students and said young people have big ambitions and can help India become a “Vishwa Guru”. He also said the ministerial post was not important to him.
Pradhan attacks Naveen Patnaik
At another event in Rairakhol, Pradhan criticised former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. He said protests by BJD workers and slogans asking him to “go back” did not bother him.
Referring to a protest near the airport where BJD youth and student wing members raised “Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back” slogans, he said he was a farmer’s son and would return even if people asked him to go back.
Pradhan also responded to Patnaik’s comments that he was a disgrace to Odisha. He accused the BJD president of encouraging young people to protest against him.
“Have I ever done anything that would bring shame to the people of Odisha?” Pradhan asked. The crowd responded with a loud “No”.
He said that although he may not have brought major achievements to the state, he had never done anything to damage Odisha’s reputation. He added that he would never do anything that could bring shame to the state.
Pradhan said he became a Union Minister 12 years ago with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur.
Interestingly, BJD MLA and Odisha Assembly deputy leader Prasanna Acharya was also present on the stage when Pradhan made the remarks against Patnaik.
Pradhan said that because of the BJD protests, he had discussed his visit with Acharya. According to Pradhan, Acharya encouraged him to attend the event and assured him that he would receive a warm welcome. Pradhan said he came to the event after getting Acharya’s permission.
- With inputs from agencies
