Former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had twice offered to resign during the student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy, but the government rejected both offers, opting instead to focus on systemic reforms in the education sector, sources told India Today TV.
According to sources, Pradhan renewed his resignation offer during a high-level meeting of senior ministers on July 20. However, the leadership again declined, asking him to continue leading efforts to reform the education system.
Government sources said the leadership believed that "a minister's resignation is the easiest option—it amounts to walking away from responsibility. The Modi government believes in solving problems rather than escaping them."
WHY THE GOVERNMENT CHANGED ITS STAND
Sources said the government's position changed after the second round of discussions with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), during which the organisation reportedly threatened to organise another large-scale march similar to the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' protest.
The Centre was already concerned after several students were injured during police action at the July 20 demonstration. Intelligence agencies had also submitted reports warning that anti-national elements were attempting to take advantage of the unrest.
According to sources, digital surveillance identified more than 400 social media accounts amplifying the student protests, including nearly 100 Instagram accounts allegedly being operated from Pakistan.
Preliminary findings suggested that several of these accounts had previously been active during Operation Sindoor, allegedly spreading anti-India narratives, misinformation, and propaganda targeting Indian security forces.
Sources further claimed that Delhi Police's Facial Recognition System identified around 400 individuals with criminal records in and around the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and July 24. Some of them were also allegedly linked to the vandalism reported during the July 20 protest.
Ahead of the final round of talks with the CJP, the government concluded that maintaining public order and safeguarding national interest had to be the priority, sources said.
To help ease tensions at Jantar Mantar and prevent further escalation of the protests, Pradhan decided to step down. President Droupadi Murmu later accepted his resignation, following which Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi was assigned additional charge of the Education Ministry.
