DHARMENDRA PRADHAN REMARKED ON Gen-Z

PATNA Former Union Education Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dharmendra Pradhan has broken his silence regarding the Gen-Z protests at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak and his own resignation. On Saturday, he stated that attempts were made to mislead Gen-Z during the protests, which was the reason he had to step down from his post. It is worth noting that Pradhan had resigned exactly two weeks ago.

Pradhan further remarked that Gen-Z represents "our children." He noted that while some individuals tried to mislead them, he personally held no grievance regarding the matter. He highlighted that at least 20 million (two crore) children are born in India annually, with 200 million (20 crore) born over the last decade; they have aspirations and will establish India as a 'Vishwa Guru' (global leader/teacher). He emphasized that the ministerial post was not essential to him, adding that he had contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign from the Union Council of Ministers. Pradhan had resigned from the post of Education Minister on July 25. Speaking at the meeting, Pradhan targeted former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik, stating that he was unfazed by the protests from BJD workers or their chants of "Go back." Referring to the protest by BJD youth and student wing activists near the airport—where slogans like "Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back" were raised—he said, "I am a farmer's son. Even if you ask me to go back, I will return."

Pradhan remarked that Naveen Patnaik often insults him and portrays him as a bad person in the eyes of the people of Odisha. He accused the BJD President of involving the youth in protests against him. He asked the gathering if he had ever done anything that would bring shame to the people of Odisha; the crowd responded with a resounding "No." He stated that while he might not be bringing glory to the state, he had never brought disrepute to the people through his actions. "I will never do anything that tarnishes the state's honor," he asserted.

Pradhan mentioned that he had become a Union Minister 12 years ago with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari of Sambalpur. His remarks against Patnaik were made from a stage where BJD MLA and Deputy Leader in the Odisha Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, was also present. Pradhan said that given the BJD's opposition, he had consulted Prasanna *bhai* on whether he should visit. "Prasanna *babu* asked me to come and assured me that I would be welcomed. I have come here with his permission."

Hitting back at Pradhan, BJD Sambalpur District President and former minister Rohit Pujari stated that the BJP leader had faced criticism over the manner in which student protests were handled. Pujari said that no one had defamed Pradhan; rather, it was Pradhan's own party and government that had brought him into disrepute through police lathi-charges, the use of tear gas, and oppression against students during their peaceful agitation at Jantar Mantar. "Pradhan was facing criticism because of such incidents. I do not understand why he [blames others] for the police excesses against protesting students..." Why do they blame Patnaik?