CM Majhi Lauds Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation; Naveen Hails Gen Z As 'The Strength Of Democracy'
"I congratulate the young people of India, especially Gen Z, on this victory. Accountability and sensitivity to public opinion are integral values of a strong democracy.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday praised Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan for stepping down from office, describing his resignation as a testament to his commitment to high moral values, principles and public service.
In a post on X, Majhi said Pradhan had played a pivotal role in ushering in transformative reforms in India's education sector, most notably through the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which he described as a landmark initiative shaping the future of millions of students.
"As Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan led transformative reforms, including the historic National Education Policy (NEP 2020), laying a strong foundation for the future of millions of students across the nation. Prioritising high moral values above all else, his decision to resign reflects his deep principles and unwavering dedication to public service. We are all confident about his future contributions. May Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath bless his journey ahead," Majhi wrote.
Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid mounting political pressure following weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in major competitive examinations. Announcing his decision through a social media post, the Odisha leader said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his resignation letter, Pradhan said the recent developments had caused him “deep anguish.” Describing India's youth as the nation's greatest strength, he asserted that he would never allow them to become victims of misinformation or conspiracy and said he was accepting moral responsibility by stepping down.
Meanwhile, former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik welcomed Pradhan's resignation, calling it a victory for India's youth and a reaffirmation of democratic accountability.
"I congratulate the young people of India, especially Gen Z, on this victory. Accountability and sensitivity to public opinion are integral values of a strong democracy. Nobody is above the will of the people. The voices of our people, especially the youth, deserve to be heard. The future of India belongs to the youth. I wish them all the very best," Patnaik posted on X.
In a separate video message, the former Chief Minister directly addressed the younger generation, saying: "Gen Z, I am proud of all of you. You are indeed the strength of our democracy."
The contrasting responses from Odisha's two tallest political leaders reflected the sharply divergent narratives surrounding Pradhan's resignation—while the ruling BJP projected it as an act of moral accountability and statesmanship, the Opposition BJD portrayed it as a triumph of youth-led democratic assertion.
