Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Saturday, 25 July declared that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy represents a landmark triumph for student agitation in India. The development follows 28 consecutive days of protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, where thousands of students had camped demanding accountability.

Sharad Pawar Calls It a Democratic Victory

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) President and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar praised the sustained resolve of the protesting youth. 'The struggle and determination shown by the youth over 28 consecutive days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the NEET paper leak case is truly commendable,' Pawar said. He described the movement as 'a symbol of the power of democracy' and credited opposition Members of Parliament for providing 'moral and Parliamentary support to the youth of the country.'

Pawar added: 'I certainly feel compelled to state that the democracy in the country has triumphed, and the credit for that undoubtedly goes to the young generation of the country.'

Sanjay Raut and the Shiv Sena's Sharp Message

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, in a post on social media platform X, took a direct shot at the ruling dispensation: 'Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; Modi-Shah are not invincible. They too will go!' The remark underscored how the opposition is framing the resignation not merely as a ministerial exit but as a crack in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) political armour.

Congress Demands Accountability Beyond the Resignation

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar argued that the resignation, while significant, must be accompanied by punitive action against those responsible for the paper leak. He alleged that a recent video released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in defence of the government's record was amplified by 'rented trolls of the BJP's IT cell' rather than genuine public support, claiming that '95 per cent of people on social media today can be seen speaking out against Narendra Modi and the BJP government.'

Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal echoed this caution: 'Considering Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as a victory for democracy would be premature. Until the masterminds and culprits who toyed with the futures of millions of students face stringent punishment, this fight will not end.'

NCP-SP Voices: Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule

NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar framed the development as students successfully completing what he called 'Mission Resignation.' 'After 12 years of being intoxicated with arrogance, the Union government has finally been bowed down by the students' success,' he said, congratulating students who, according to him, 'endured beatings' during the agitation.

NCP-SP Working President and MP Supriya Sule reposted Sharad Pawar's statement on her official X account, reiterating that the resignation marks 'a major victory for the unity of the youth power in the country.' She also thanked opposition MPs across parties for their parliamentary solidarity with the protesters.

What Comes Next

The opposition's near-unanimous position is that Pradhan's exit is a beginning, not an end. With the NEET paper leak case still under investigation and demands for criminal prosecution of those responsible growing louder, political pressure on the Centre is unlikely to ease. Student groups have indicated they will continue to monitor the probe's progress before calling off their campaign entirely.