Congress on Monday sharply criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs for publicly celebrating the arrival of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Parliament, calling the scenes “utterably shameful” and a “grave insult” to the country’s youth. The backlash came hours after Pradhan stepped onto Parliament premises to a rousing reception from fellow BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators.

The Reception at Parliament

As Dharmendra Pradhan stepped out of his vehicle at Parliament, fellow NDA MPs broke into chants of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad.” One MP presented him with a traditional headgear, while another placed a shawl on his shoulders in a gesture typically reserved for honour and celebration. The scenes drew immediate attention given that Pradhan had resigned as Union Education Minister just days earlier on Saturday, following weeks of sustained protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Congress Fires Back

Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge of Communications, took to social media to question the BJP’s intent behind the felicitation. “Today, BJP MPs are welcoming former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as if he has achieved some great feat. The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country’s youth,” Ramesh said.

He pressed further, asking: “The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan’s work was commendable? If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country’s youth and students? The country demands answers.”

Background: Pradhan’s Resignation and the NEET Row

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday after weeks of pressure from a social media-driven protest movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and allied groups, who had been agitating over alleged NEET paper leaks and broader irregularities in the national medical entrance examination. The CJP concluded its protest shortly after Pradhan’s exit from the Union Cabinet was confirmed.

Notably, Pradhan did not apologise for the paper leak controversy at the time of his resignation; instead, he reportedly suggested that students had been “misled.” That framing drew condemnation from student groups and opposition parties alike.

New Charge of the Education Ministry

Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, has been given the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following Pradhan’s departure. It remains to be seen whether a full-time replacement will be appointed, or whether Joshi will continue to hold the dual charge.

The controversy underscores the political temperature around India’s examination system, with students and civil society groups demanding accountability at the highest levels of governance.