Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned following sustained student protests demanding accountability, reforms in the education system, and a thorough probe into alleged question paper leaks in the widely discussed National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
In the wake of his resignation, numerous Bollywood and South Indian film personalities have taken to social media to share their reactions.
Expressing support for the student movement, celebrities hailed the development as a victory for democracy and accountability.
Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, July 25, following nearly a month of student protests at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar over alleged NEET exam leaks and irregularities.
The demonstrations were led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), and gained further momentum after educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk joined a 26-day hunger strike.
Following the news of Pradhan's resignation, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas reacted on Instagram to a post by journalist Faye D'Souza, sharing clapping hands, celebratory, and red heart emojis.
Singer Armaan Malik posted on social media, "The power of youth."
Actor Prakash Raj, who has been vocal about the protests from the beginning, wrote, "Congratulations my dear Cockroaches, dear Sonam Wangchuk sir, and everyone who stood by the youth. You have proven that even a government can be brought to its knees."
Actor Vijay Varma shared a line from a popular song in the movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil on Instagram, writing, "Achha chalta hoon, duaon mein yaad rakhna" (Well, I am leaving, remember me in your prayers).
Actress Tillotama Shome wrote, "Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned as Union Education Minister. I feel fortunate to witness this historic change led by the youth.
The conventional notion that youth squander their potential should end now. Thank you to the youth of India."
Actor and filmmaker Rahul Ravindran stated that while losing a job is not a cause for celebration, it is essential for individuals at the highest levels of power to face accountability for repeated failures and incompetence.
He further noted that the country has 1 million vacant teacher positions, many rural schools lack a single effective teacher, and numerous schools do not even have safe drinking water for children. He also demanded justice for those responsible for repeating question paper leaks and using force against protesting students.
Actor Manav Kaul, who participated in support of the protests in Mumbai, wrote, "I love you, youth. This country is in your hands now. Many, many congratulations. Jai Hind."
Actor Ishaan Khatter shared a photo of himself holding a poster that read "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution) and wrote, "Today India won. Today democracy won. I am proud of this India. Maa Tujhe Salaam."
Actress Aditi Rao Hydari also shared her reaction on Instagram regarding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
For nearly a month, students protesting at Jantar Mantar demanded a fair investigation into the NEET exam leak allegations and systemic reforms in India's education sector.
On July 20, protesters marched from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament, prompting security forces to use lathicharges and tear gas to disperse them.
A few days later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that all accused in the NEET leak case had been arrested and that fast-track courts would be established to ensure speedy trials.
In his resignation announcement on X, Dharmendra Pradhan wrote that India's youth power is the true strength of the country and that the nation's youth will not be allowed to get trapped in cycles of confusion.
He added, "Considering that anti-national forces should not take advantage of the situation at Jantar Mantar, national unity must remain intact, and no student's future should get stuck in legal complications," stating that he submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister keeping these factors in mind.
