Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 25 (PTI) Kerala leaders, including Chief Minister V D Satheesan, on Saturday reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak, calling it a “victory” for sustained youth-led agitation.
In a statement, the Kerala CM congratulated the country’s youth for their determination and courage, saying the resignation of Pradhan came after attempts to suppress student protests had failed.
He said that the resignation of Pradhan was inevitable and it came late, only after there was no way left for him to hold on to office.
“Big salute to the Indian youth whose determination and courage made this possible. I welcome Pradhan’s resignation, which came after attempts to beat down and suppress protesting students failed,” he said.
Calling it a victory for students across the country, the Chief Minister said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties had stood firmly with the protesters throughout the agitation.
“Despite serious allegations against Pradhan, the Prime Minister and the BJP tried to shield him. But in the end, he had to step down in disgrace following the protests,” Satheesan said.
Describing the development as “a historic victory”, he said authoritarian forces were forced to bow before the spirit of the struggle.
He also accused the Centre of “adopting undemocratic methods” by trying to suppress the protests, provoking demonstrators, dragging the Leader of the Opposition on the streets and assaulting opposition MPs.
“Examinations like NEET must be conducted in a transparent and error-free manner. The Centre should never again gamble with the future and lives of students,” Satheesan added.
State Higher Education Minister Roji M John said the resignation was the result of relentless and united struggles across the country.
In a Facebook post, he wrote that “the edge of time and history’s sword has not broken, the struggles do not cease.” “Following relentless and united struggles across the entire nation, Pradhan has resigned. Long live democracy,” he said.
State Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna said the Centre had “bowed before the anger of the youth.” Congratulating the youth protesters and the opposition leadership, she said justice had finally been delivered to the families of the 20 youths who lost their lives during the agitation.
She said the government should provide compensation to the bereaved families and extend support to them.
Bindhu Krishna also called for the withdrawal of all cases registered against thousands of youths who staged democratic protests, expressing hope that the government would take that step.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim also welcomed Pradhan’s resignation, saying struggles never stop and what appears impossible eventually becomes possible.
Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, Rahim wrote, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” and added, “The struggles do not stop.” CPI(M) leader P Rajeev wrote on his Facebook page: “Historical victory” sharing pictures of the protest.
CPI state secretary, Binoy Viswam on Saturday described the resignation of Union Education Minister Pradhan as a “historic victory” that forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “bow before the collective struggle” of students and the people.
“If the Modi government first suffered defeat before the farmers’ movement, it has now been defeated by the united struggle of students and the people,” he said.
Calling the development the beginning of a larger political shift, Viswam said the resignation had disproved the perception that Modi and the BJP were invincible.
State Forest Minister Shibu Baby John took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the resignation of Union Education Minister Pradhan, saying that “even a 56-inch chest can be brought down by a few cockroaches.” “When the country, its students and its people stand united without fear, the RSS, the BJP and Modi will have no option but to bow before them,” he said.
SFI and DYFI activists burst crackers and distributed sweets across Kerala.
They also carried out marches in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, greeting young protestors in New Delhi.
Before the announcement of Pradhan’s resignation, BJP Kerala president and MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, saying no one in modern India’s history had done more than him to create opportunities for the country’s youth.
In a Facebook post, Chandrasekhar said nothing was more important than the future of India’s youth and described Modi as a leader who listened to people, took action and remained in constant dialogue with young people.
He added that the government would continue expanding opportunities for the youth while working towards building a “Viksit Bharat” and “Vikasita Keralam.” PTI TBA TBA ROH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.