Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has responded to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling the development a landmark moment for Indian democracy. Taking to his official account on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, 25 July, Haasan posted a detailed note urging national dialogue and structural reform of the education system.

What Kamal Haasan Said

In his post, Haasan wrote: 'Glad to see dialogue replacing confrontation. Dissent deserves dialogue. This is democracy in action. Pellet guns, electric shock batons and nail-studded lathis have no place in the land of Bapu. Equally, attacks on security personnel and public property must be examined fairly. Accountability cannot be selective.'

Haasan argued that Pradhan's resignation under sustained public pressure represents a more significant moment than the paper leaks that originally ignited the student movement. He described it as an opportunity that must not be squandered.

Call for a National Education Commission

The actor urged the government to constitute a National Commission on Education and Examination Reform, with a three-month roadmap to restore trust in examinations, reduce academic stress, and modernise the education framework. He specifically called for the commission to incorporate Tamil Nadu's perspective, invoking the death of student Anitha — widely cited as an early human casualty of the pressure generated by single high-stakes entrance tests.

'The Government's willingness to engage is welcome. Now let us ensure that dialogue leads to lasting reform. The road ahead is long, but Indians must walk it together,' Haasan added.

The Protests That Forced the Resignation

Dharmendra Pradhan tendered his resignation on Saturday following weeks of sustained student protests centred on Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, primarily over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, including a reported paper leak. The movement had been building pressure on the government for weeks before his exit.

The protests escalated sharply after Delhi Police cracked down on demonstrators at Jantar Mantar on 20 July, drawing widespread public outrage. Citizens joined students in large numbers in the days that followed, and the demonstrations spread from the capital to metro cities and eventually to smaller towns across India.

Sonam Wangchuk's Role in the Movement

A pivotal moment in the agitation came when activist Sonam Wangchuk — who had been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for 21 days demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged exam irregularities — was forcibly removed by Delhi Police in the early hours of 18 July. Authorities shifted him to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health, medical advice, and compliance with a Delhi High Court order. His removal further inflamed public sentiment and broadened the protest's reach.

With Pradhan's resignation now a fact, attention shifts to whether the government will follow through on substantive examination reforms — a question Haasan's post places squarely at the Centre's door.