Rahul Gandhi calls to 'get rid of this regime' after Pradhan's resignation
Synopsis
Rahul Gandhi turned Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation into a full-throated call for regime change — urging farmers, labourers, and students alike to 'get rid of this regime.' With two student demands still unmet and Gandhi escalating his rhetoric, the NEET controversy has moved well beyond an exam scandal into a broader political confrontation.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi on 25 July hailed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a victory for students agitating over the alleged NEET paper leak .
Gandhi called on PM Narendra Modi to publicly apologise to students and the nation for alleged failures in the examination system.
He demanded strict action against those responsible for violence against students during the protests.
In a video message, Gandhi urged farmers, labourers, and other groups to stand up, saying ‘Daro Mat’ (Don’t be afraid).
Gandhi explicitly called for the removal of the government, saying ‘the time has come to remove this government.’ Pradhan’s resignation followed mass student protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and demonstrations across the country.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, 25 July welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a victory for students who had been agitating over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy. Gandhi urged the country to go further, demanding the removal of the current government.
Gandhi Hails Student Movement
Congratulating students on what he described as a successful democratic movement, Gandhi credited collective action for forcing Pradhan's exit. “Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is a huge step towards reshaping our education system. Well done to students across the country; we are proud of all of you,” Gandhi said in a post on X.
He also extended his appreciation to those who took to the streets. “Heartiest congratulations to every young person and every student who took to the streets and stood firm to protect democracy, the Constitution, and their future,” he added.
Two Demands Still Unmet, Says Gandhi
Despite welcoming the resignation, Gandhi said two critical student demands remained unaddressed. He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue a public apology to students and the nation for the alleged systemic failures in the examination process. He also demanded strict action against those responsible for violence against students during the protests.
Sharp Political Escalation
In a video message, Gandhi broadened his appeal beyond students, addressing farmers, labourers, and what he termed oppressed sections of society. “It is a signal to other parts of society — farmers, labourers and poor people — and to anybody this regime is attacking and oppressing. There is wisdom and courage in standing up. Daro Mat (Don’t be afraid),” he said.
Gandhi went on to call for a change in government. “Let’s get rid of this regime that is attacking India, destroying our Constitution and capturing all our institutions,” he said, adding that “the time has come to remove this government.”
Background: Pradhan's Resignation
Earlier on Saturday, Dharmendra Pradhan tendered his resignation as Union Education Minister amid mounting pressure over the alleged NEET paper leak and a series of other examination-related irregularities. His departure followed large-scale student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and demonstrations across multiple states, where protesters had been demanding accountability and the minister's removal.
This is a significant moment in what has been one of the most sustained student-led political movements in recent years — and with Gandhi now explicitly calling for regime change, the controversy shows no signs of fading.
Point of View
Then immediately raise the stakes. By framing a ministerial exit as proof that the ‘regime’ can be defeated, he is attempting to convert a student grievance into a broader opposition mobilisation. What mainstream coverage underplays is that the two unmet demands — a prime ministerial apology and accountability for violence against protesters — are politically far harder to deliver than a ministerial resignation, and Gandhi knows it. The NEET controversy has handed the opposition a rare issue that cuts across caste and class; the question is whether Congress can sustain the momentum or whether the resignation becomes a pressure valve that defuses rather than accelerates the movement.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on 25 July amid mounting pressure over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities. His resignation followed sustained student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and demonstrations across the country demanding accountability.
What did Rahul Gandhi say about Pradhan's resignation?
Rahul Gandhi welcomed the resignation as a victory for the student movement, saying it was ‘a huge step towards reshaping our education system.’ He also called for PM Modi to apologise to students and demanded action against those responsible for violence during the protests.
What does Rahul Gandhi mean by 'get rid of this regime'?
In a video message, Gandhi called on students, farmers, labourers, and other sections of society to collectively work towards removing the current government, saying ‘the time has come to remove this government.’ He framed the student movement as a signal that organised resistance can succeed.
What are the two unresolved student demands Gandhi mentioned?
Gandhi said two key demands remained unmet: first, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should publicly apologise to students and the nation for the alleged failures in the examination system; and second, that strict action should be taken against those who used violence against protesting students.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak controversy refers to allegations of irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s primary medical entrance examination. Alleged leaks and malpractice triggered widespread student protests demanding accountability from the government and the Education Ministry.
