Naveen Patnaik demands Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over NEET student clash
Synopsis
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has called for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation after students were allegedly assaulted by police during a NEET paper leak protest in New Delhi on 20 July. With opposition parties uniting, Parliament disrupted, and protests spreading to international capitals, the NEET controversy is fast becoming a full-blown political crisis.
Key Takeaways
Naveen Patnaik , BJD president and Leader of the Opposition, demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 21 July .
The demand follows alleged police assault on students protesting the NEET paper leak in New Delhi on 20 July .
A BJD delegation led by Manas Ranjan Mangaraj visited injured students at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital .
BJD MPs protested inside Parliament, leading to the House being adjourned .
Patnaik noted that protests have spread to cities across India and outside Indian embassies in international capitals.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday, 21 July called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing the violence and alleged police assault on students during a protest rally over the NEET paper leak in New Delhi on 20 July. The demand came as multiple opposition parties escalated pressure on the Centre over the handling of the student demonstration.
What Patnaik Said
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, where he was present on Tuesday, Patnaik said: 'I have also been asked whether the education minister should resign. Many demands from many parties have come for his resignation as all these serious injuries of young people have been taking place. So, under the circumstances, I think he should resign.'
Patnaik described the situation as grave, noting that many young students had been violently attacked and injured. He added that while he would return to Bhubaneswar the following morning to attend to other matters, the BJD's MPs would continue to pursue the issue with full seriousness.
BJD MPs Visit Injured Students at RML Hospital
A BJD delegation, led by Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, Leader of the BJD Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, visited injured students receiving treatment at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi. The MPs interacted with the students, enquired about their condition, and assured them of the party's support in their fight for justice.
Patnaik confirmed that the MPs had visited RML Hospital and offered all possible assistance to those injured during the clash.
Parliament Disrupted Over Student Violence
Inside Parliament, BJD MPs staged a strong protest demanding justice for the injured students and stringent action against those responsible. The uproar by opposition parties led to the House being adjourned. The BJD also demanded that parliamentary proceedings be suspended to allow a special discussion on the NEET controversy and the subsequent violence.
Broader Context: NEET Protests Spread Nationally
The clashes followed a protest march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on 20 July, during which students were allegedly assaulted by police. The BJD strongly condemned what it called a 'brutal' crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
Patnaik noted that the situation had extended well beyond Delhi, with protests reported in cities across India and even outside Indian embassies in several international capitals. This comes amid sustained public anger over the alleged NEET paper leak, which has triggered one of the most widespread student agitations in recent years and drawn demands for accountability from parties across the political spectrum.
With Parliament in session and opposition pressure mounting, the coming days are likely to see further political and legal developments around both the NEET controversy and the alleged police action against student protesters.
Point of View
Now in opposition after losing Odisha, is recalibrating its national posture, and aligning with the anti-NEET sentiment offers a ready platform. But the demand also reflects a genuine accountability gap: if students were assaulted during a peaceful march, the Education Ministry's moral ownership of the NEET crisis makes Pradhan a natural focal point. The broader question mainstream coverage underplays is whether the Centre will treat this as a law-and-order episode or acknowledge the systemic failure in exam integrity that triggered the protests in the first place. How Parliament handles the next few sessions will signal which way the government is leaning.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Naveen Patnaik demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation?
Naveen Patnaik demanded Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation citing the alleged police assault on students who were protesting the NEET paper leak in New Delhi on 20 July. He said the serious injuries to young people made the minister's continuation untenable, a view echoed by several other opposition parties.
What happened during the NEET protest in New Delhi on 20 July?
Students marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on 20 July were allegedly assaulted by police, resulting in injuries to multiple protesters. The BJD and other opposition parties condemned the action as a brutal crackdown on a peaceful demonstration.
Which hospital were the injured NEET protest students taken to?
Injured students were taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi. A BJD delegation led by Manas Ranjan Mangaraj visited them there to enquire about their health and offer support.
How did Parliament respond to the student violence?
BJD MPs staged a strong protest inside Parliament demanding justice and stringent action against those responsible. The opposition uproar led to the House being adjourned. The BJD also called for a special parliamentary discussion on the NEET controversy.
How widespread are the NEET protests?
According to Patnaik, protests have spread beyond Delhi to multiple cities across India and have also been reported outside Indian embassies in several international capitals, reflecting the scale of public anger over the alleged NEET paper leak.
