NEET row: Dharmendra Pradhan says Gen Z was misled during paper leak protests
Synopsis
In his first public speech since resigning over the NEET paper leak row, Dharmendra Pradhan accused unnamed actors of attempting to mislead India's 20 crore Gen Z during the student protests — while revealing he had personally flagged the youth unrest to PM Modi, prompting the Prime Minister's direct outreach to young people.
Key Takeaways
Dharmendra Pradhan addressed Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur on Saturday — his first public speech after resigning over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Pradhan said some people tried to mislead India's Gen Z during the protests over the NEET paper leak issue.
He described India's 20 crore youth as the force that will help the country become a Vishwaguru .
Pradhan revealed he conveyed youth unrest to PM Narendra Modi , who subsequently engaged directly with young people.
He said he served as a Union Minister for 12 years without bringing disrepute to Odisha or its 4.5 crore people.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that certain individuals had attempted to mislead India's Gen Z during the protests that erupted over the NEET paper leak controversy. Pradhan made the remarks while addressing a programme at Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, Odisha — his first public speech since resigning from the Union Cabinet in the wake of the student unrest.
What Pradhan Said About Gen Z
'I believe that some people tried to mislead our Gen Z,' Pradhan said, addressing the gathering at the university. The Sambalpur MP framed the country's approximately 20 crore young people as a transformative force capable of propelling India toward its goal of becoming a Vishwaguru — a global knowledge leader.
He added that if these 20 crore youth were to unite with determination, his own role would pale in comparison to their collective will. Speaking in a lighter vein, Pradhan acknowledged that he himself had been affected by the Gen Z wave of discontent.
His Resignation and the NEET Backdrop
Pradhan's address came notably after he stepped down from the Union Cabinet following sustained student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak row, which triggered a national debate on examination integrity and the welfare of medical aspirants. His resignation was widely seen as a political response to mounting pressure from the student community.
This is the first time Pradhan has spoken publicly since that resignation, making his choice of platform — a university campus — significant. He drew a historical parallel, describing the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation as the 'Gen Z of their time.'
PM Modi's Outreach to Youth
Pradhan revealed that he had conveyed the sentiment around youth unrest directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who subsequently chose to engage with young people himself. He stressed that the nation's interest must always remain paramount, reiterating that his resignation was not a matter of personal prestige.
Pradhan on Odisha and His Legacy
At an earlier public programme in Sambalpur on the same day, Pradhan reflected on his 12 years as a Union Minister, saying he had served without bringing disrepute to Odisha. 'Dharmendra Pradhan has never made 4.5 crore Odias hang their heads in shame. I have the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Samaleshwari. As long as I am alive, whether I do good work for Odisha or not, I will never cause any harm to the state's honour,' he said.
As the political fallout from the NEET controversy continues to unfold, Pradhan's re-emergence on the public stage signals that the BJP's outreach to student communities — and its internal reckoning with the examination row — is far from over.
Point of View
Not a reckoning. His resignation was the BJP's pressure valve; this speech is the re-entry. The invocation of Gen Z as future Vishwaguru builders sidesteps the core grievance: that lakhs of medical aspirants lost a year to an integrity failure the government has yet to fully account for. Until the NEET investigation yields prosecutions and structural reform, speeches on campuses risk being read as optics rather than ownership.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign from the Union Cabinet?
Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet following sustained student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which raised serious questions about examination integrity. His resignation was widely seen as a political response to mounting pressure from the student community.
What did Pradhan say about Gen Z and the NEET protests?
Pradhan said he believed some people tried to mislead India's Gen Z during the protests over the NEET paper leak issue. He framed India's approximately 20 crore young people as a powerful collective force and stressed that the nation's interest must remain paramount.
Where did Pradhan make these remarks?
Pradhan spoke at a programme held at Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, Odisha, on Saturday. It was his first public address since resigning from the Union Cabinet over the NEET controversy.
What did Pradhan reveal about PM Modi's response to the NEET protests?
Pradhan said he personally conveyed the sentiment around youth unrest to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who subsequently chose to engage directly with young people. He did not specify the nature or timing of that engagement.
What did Pradhan say about his tenure as Union Minister?
Pradhan said he served as a Union Minister for 12 years without ever bringing disrepute to Odisha or its 4.5 crore people, invoking the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Samaleshwari as he reaffirmed his commitment to the state's honour.
