Pradhan’s resignation a victory for students, youth and democrats: BRS MP Vaddiraju

Khammam: The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, taking moral responsibility for the alleged NEET question paper leak, marked a victory for students, youth and democratic forces, BRS Parliamentary Party leader Vaddiraju Ravichandra said on Saturday.

Speaking to media here , Ravichandra said the country could take pride in the “army of cockroaches” — a reference to the students and youth who had risen in protest — and asserted that the world had once again witnessed the power of a determined youth movement.

“Despite restrictions, threats, intimidation, arrests and the use of force, and despite attempts to brand the protesters as anti-national and anti-social, the youth did not retreat. The Centre was ultimately forced to bow before their agitation,” he said.

The BRS MP recalled that party working president K. T. Rama Rao had participated in the students’ protest and expressed solidarity with their demand for justice, thereby acknowledging the legitimacy of their movement.

The fact that Parliament gates had to be closed in the face of the students’ anger, he said, should make those in power realise the strength of a united student and youth movement.

Ravichandra demanded that the promises made to students and unemployed youth during the elections be fulfilled without further delay. He also urged the authorities to put in place stringent safeguards to ensure that question paper leaks and other irregularities did not recur in competitive examinations.