Dharmendra Pradhan has paid the price for weak control :::: Taste of Blood ... for Cockroach :::: Goalposts keep changing. If one Minister resigns; they will say a few others should :::: "Exemplary actions must be taken against NEET 2026 leak wrongdoers"

 

They were already talking about regime change.

Goalposts keep changing. If one Minister resigns; they will say a few others should. Then they may say Prime Minister Narendra Modi must resign.

Even as Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned; for the government and the ruling BJP-headed-NDA the real challenge will start now.

"For other sections of society—farmers, laborers, the poor, every person whom this government has suppressed and crushed—true courage lies in standing firm in a constitutional manner for one's dignity. 

The time has come to remove this government. Don't be afraid!," said Rahul Gandhi.

But let me make it clear; my study about Indian politics from media perspective in the last few decades suggest - India is neither Nepal, nor Bangladesh or Egypt or Sri Lanka. Still the forces inimical to the BJP and the Modi Govt are very active. 

However, I can assure them that they do not understand how Indian democracy actually works. The last 12-13 years under Narendra Modi has been a completely new journey - for Bharat, that is 'New India'.

The country's rise was always going to invite resistance. Not only foreign powers; even forces operating in India - the communists, the Naxals and the NGO club getting regular funds flow are displeased with the present regime.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had relented under public protest earlier in November 2021 when he withdrew the farm reform Bill. Modi is known for his macho-decisive leader image. But on Nov. 19, he made a dramatic retreat by announcing the rollback of three contentious farm laws. 

All these opposition by multiple anti-India forces also because Namo has made it clear that India is no longer willing to remain weak and meek. 

Sikh farmers in Amritsar on Nov 19, 2021 after the Bills were withdrawn

The 2021 decision was also crucial. An impression went both within the country and overseas that the Hindu-Sikh division had widened again like in the 1980s. The three farm laws were being dubbed as anti-Sikh. This time too, the alleged role of 2000 plus people with criminal background and over 400 handles from Pakistan made it clear that things could go out of hands. 

Over 70 police officers and personnel were injured.  In 2021, there was suspicion that anti-India forces (possibly from Pakistan) could attempt to revive the separatist Khalistani movement, which caused much bloodshed in Punjab in the early eighties leading to the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

   

Having said so, now let us focus on the Cockroach party protest in Delhi and in some other parts of the country. A rising 'New India' under BJP government with its strong "nationalistic and India-first" agenda was bound to face challenges on three fronts.

 

Ideological ecosystems == the Sickularism gang; 

Street mobilisation - as was farmers' stir and now students protest

And through foreign influence.

Therefore, the moot point at this juncture is the NEET-paper leak protest is something more than what's happening around. 

First, let us take the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. It is an evidence of first taste of blood by the 'cockroach'. Hence time to worry.  

They could soon enter an dictating term. This may only turn counterproductive and also violent. 

Among the corrective steps; the Govt has announced fast track courts.

But what about enough number of judges to run those courts?

It is right -- the "judicial vacancies" is the biggest bottleneck. 

The governance model of Sickularism .... over the decades under Congress, other parties and the BJP has only ensured a lesser number of judges and shortage in military. 

But the paradox is - there is joblessness in the country.

Should administrative reform come soon? 

Should IAS - the 'deep state' in Indian power structure really has to be sent on permanent pension ?  

Creating additional fast-track courts -- as announced by PM -- would produce meaningful results only if vacancies are filled and the supporting judicial infrastructure is strengthened.

There is another argument; or rather apprehension. Once fast courts start working -- the "culprits may be released faster".

The key question is around conviction. This is something very difficult and time taking in India. In fact; we should also know whether the right culprits have been caught in this case of 2026 and whether the investigation is honest and sincere. 

Also importantly, what's the guarantee those arrestes in future and prosecuted will be genuine offenders ?

PM Modi and his team will have to handle the tough situation. 

Every rising power faces attempts to weaken it from within. India is now rising - the youths and other sections should not plan staging such protest. 

Battles are often not fought or won through tanks and missiles. You can actually do so through ...   

information warfare and in the battle of narratives.

Final words :::

What maybe still more important is that to sort out the persons responsible for the leak .... primarily the bureaucracy  (the sickening army called Babus) --- first, exemplary actions must be taken.

The action taken against them should be also made public so that this imposes a caution on future 'babus' who take up such sensitive appointments. 

Dharmendra Pradhan has paid the price for weak control. 

ends 

Karnataka lawmaker Pralhad Joshi to head Education ministry ::: President Droupadi Murmu accepts Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Pralhad Joshi to be new Education Minister 

He was also the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister of Coal and the Minister of Mines from 2019 to 2024. 

Joshi has been a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha since 2004, representing the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency.  He was also the State President of BJP, Karnataka unit from 2014 to 2016.  

He is serving as the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and also New and Renewable Energy since 2024. Earlier in the day, Dharmendra Pradhan, a member of Rajya Sabha, announced his resignation saying the developments of the past 10 days had 'saddened' him deeply.

Moreover, the issue was 'not a matter of personal prestige', he said. 

President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on the Prime Minister's advice.  According to an official release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, 

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio."  

Noting that he did not want "anti-national forces" to exploit the situation, Pradhan said he wanted to ensure that "the unity of the nation remains intact", "the future of even a single student should not become entangled in legal complications" and that students devote their time to studies and building their careers.

"Keeping all these considerations in mind, I have sent my resignation to the Hon'ble Prime Minister," he said.  

Pradhan's resignation also marks a rare instance of a senior minister in the Narendra Modi government stepping down amid sustained street protests and political pressure.  

The resignation follows weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, with students demanding greater transparency, accountability and reforms in the examination system.  

Blogger's commentary:  

New Delhi has a 'jugadu club'. Indian sickular ecosystem was at play.

They are immensely "unhappy" since 2014. 

PM Narendra Modi has stopped everything even 'juicy' ... even beat (journalism) has become 'I also cover type' standard -- or sub-standard.

Some journalists/columnists never retire! Is it love for journalism alone? 

They screamed and were delighted at the violence in Manipur. The BJP could manage without Manipur CM N Biren Singh resigning.

This time, Dharmendra Pradhan made an exit after the protest reached its peak and the security situation got challenged due to multiple factors.  

This Sickular club and anti-FCRA lobby, church bodies, several Muslim organisations, Left liberals etc also want 'downfall' of the regime under Modi.

I am all for media-power; but let us earn it our own way -- hard way ! I am all for a clean examination system. Can resignation of a minister end 'question paper leak' ?

Why should Sickularism have all the fun? Why a TV journo was manhandled ? Who provided the food ? 

Does Education reform upset foreign university lobby ?  

And what about 400 plus Pakistan-based handles/tools were on the job. The situation is serious.  

ends 

".... our first demand has been accepted," says CJP ::::: "all legal cases filed against protesters and organizers, those FIRs should be withdrawn"

Are they trying to get into dictating terms ... ???

After talks with the government, Cockroach Janta Party's National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, 

"We held three rounds of discussions with the government delegation. Our protest at Jantar Mantar, which was going on for several days, had three main demands: 

Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, all legal cases filed against protesters and organizers, those FIRs should be withdrawn, and no future cases should be filed against protesters or organizers. 

Video Link

And our third demand was compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families who lost their loved ones after the NEET paper was not held. 

Just a while ago, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. This means that our first demand has been accepted."  

(Dissatisfaction, they say is very strong element in the life of a

middle class citizen and Amitabh's films will keep giving in

refreshing memories)  

Cockroach Janta Party's Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das says, 

"Our second demand was that all the FIRs filed against the protesters, not just in Delhi but in all BJP-ruled and BJP-allied states, should be withdrawn. This was also our second demand. 

The government has accepted that demand as well. Furthermore, the withdrawal will be done shortly. 

The government has assured us that it will share copies of all the FIRs filed – as per our last information, 15 to 20 FIRs were filed in Delhi – and we will receive those copies within three to four days in any case. 

The government has also assured that the withdrawal will be done shortly...Understanding this, we have shared a draft with the government, which is a written guarantee. The government has said it will share this with us by Tuesday. 

We hope that by Tuesday we will receive the government's guarantees regarding these FIRs and any future action".

Education Ministry always a 'hot potato' under Narendra Modi ::: Smriti Irani to Dharmendra Pradhan ... things have "come a long way"

Education or HRD Ministry always a 'hot potato' under BJP ... under both Narendra Modi and earlier under Vajpayee

Smriti Irani 

 

Smriti Irani to Dharmendra Pradhan ... things have "come a long way" 

 Smriti Irani was made HRD Minister in 2014 (May 26) when Modi took over. 

She was Rajya Sabha MP representing Gujarat. She was in office till July 5, 2016 when Prakash Javadekar had replaced her. Both are no longer ministers in Team Modi. 

On May 30, 2019, when Namo took over second time; Ramesh Pokhriyal, MP from Haridwar in Uttarakhand was given the portfolio. The former Uttarakhand CM was in chair till July 7, 2021. 

Then the responsibility had passed on to Dharmendra Pradhan, who was till then handling the juicy and high profile Petroleum ministry. 

Javadekar 

Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank"

Under Atal Bihari Vajapayee; Dr M M Joshi was the HRD Minister and he too kept on courting controversies.  

In 1996, for 16 days when Vajpayee was PM between May 16 and June 1; the HRD (Education) portfolio was with the Prime Minister only. 

Incidentally, Vajpayee's predecessor P V Narasimha Rao kept the portfolio with him for 120 days in 1996 after Madhavrao Scindia had resigned. 

Senior Scindia - and father of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had resigned protesting against Rao after his name figured in the Hawala scam.  

Dr Murli Manohor Joshi 

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi’s tenure as Union HRD Minister (1998–2004) under Vajpayee faced intense accusations of the "saffronisation" of education, centered on textbook rewrites by the NCERT.

He had taken leader in the introduction of traditional Vedic courses, and so called "ideological appointments".  

Propaganda era : Is Gen Z aware of it ?

Commentary:

In contemporary setting, overwhelming Hindus in India are now at least getting assertive about defending their rights. 

This need not be mistaken with communalism per se. 

But Hindu assertiveness is becoming order of the day. 

There is nothing wrong is such assertiveness. What is to worry about that the fringe elements among Hindu fundamentalism is that they may also fall into wrong hands as has been with a section of minorities.

Hindus need to be careful about it. The same responsibility also remains with minorities as the feeling of rivalries between religious communities will be quite harmful. 

In this context Smriti Irani’s speech in 2016 was an eye opener especially in the context of motivated nature of lessons and passages prescribed in school text books under Congress-led UPA.

I am quoting here from the then HRD Minister’s speech:

“I wondered, where do our kids learn from? ……This is a history book for students of class IV - Teacher's Reader. The author of this book is Teesta Setalvad. 

This book has been commissioned by UPA's Kapil Sibal. The same UPA whose chairperson is Soniaji. Let's see what is to be taught to student of class 4. In our text and syllabus, we continue to perpetuate the colonial legacy of portraying ancient India, as synonymous with Hindu and Medieval India past with the Muslim."  (Smriti Irani) 

&&

I quote from this book…"When we teach Shivaji, Akbar, Aurangzeb as responsible educators and animators, 

we need to ask which Shivaji do we need to take into the classroom. 

It is not only against Shivaji that is taught. 

Congress politicians allowed the killings for three days during the Sikh riots. That is also taught. Hindu-Christian riots in Kanya Kumari. How the propaganda of Hindu organisations target Christian minorities." (Smriti) 

"You are teaching this to a child in the 4th standard. This is their idea of secular education. History taught to standard 6th. Kashmir is a much demonised land today...{pause} that the State militates against the atrocities of the Indian State”.

In her speech in Lok Sabha Smriti Irani asked “Are we shocked that our students go to universities and say "Kashmir ki azadi tak jung ladenge.."?

                                                  

All these lead us to a few questions. 

-Will Don Bosco, Matunga (Mumbai) try to explain its stand on these books?

-Will champions of freedom from across India- especially a few associated with Ahmedabad especially explain whether Teesta Setalvads still deserve to be hailed as a paragon of virtue?

- Politically was there no quid-pro-quo when Teesta fought against Narendra Modi and Kapil Sibal commissioned her to pen text books for children?

-Did Rahul Gandhi err in accompanying an ill-informed Anand Sharma to the JNU campus?

This is an age of empowerment and informed debate.

ends 

Dharmendra Pradhan resigns ... Who wins ... who lost ??? ::: CJP says -- "if you people do not bow down ..., then we can take the resignation of anyone"

 Dharmendra Pradhan resigns ... Who wins ... who lost ???  

Many held up portraits and posters of Dr B R Ambedkar as the gathering celebrated the minister's resignation. 

Protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were seen hugging each other and dancing on stage to the patriotic song 'Chak De! India'.  

Celebrations broke out at the Jantar Mantar protest site after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET paper leak row.

Protesters were dancing, cheering, waving the tricolour and raising slogans of 'Vande Mataram'.

Rise and fall of Dharmendra Pradhan : And first taste of blood by Cockroch party !!

"Over 400 Pak-operated social media handles identified " - say Delhi police 

He also said that anti national forces should not be allowed to take advantage of situation at Jantar Mantar and across country.

Addressing the students as "mere yuva sathiyon" 

.... "I have been involved in students' issues for more than four decades ....   

But May 3, 2026 ... due to paper leak of NEET exam ... Govt of India took a considered view and ordered probe by the CBI and the exam was cancelled. .....

Dharmendra Pradhan, whose resignation was the core demand of the CJP protesters and opposition paries, announced his decision on X hours before the third round of talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Centre.

On the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Founding President of Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke says, 

"Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. And this resignation is proof that if you people are not afraid, 

if you people do not bow down to this government, then we can take the resignation of anyone."  

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, 

"At the end, at least I can say that reason has prevailed upon the government. This could have been done much earlier. 

If it was done much earlier, then this kind of untoward incident could have been avoided. Pellet gun, tear gas, lathi charge, all could have been avoided... 

"Now I think that out of desperation, the government has been compelled to put in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan... out of desperation, the government has been forced to make the resignation of their own minister. 

"I must salute the demonstrators, their grit and determination. I must salute my leader, Rahul Gandhi, who always stood side by side with them...". 

****

It was not a matter of "individual prestige" for him, Dharmendra Pradhan said.

Dharmendra Pradhan is the second sitting Union minister to resign due to intense public pressure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. 

The then MoS External Affairs M J Akbar's resignation came in 2018 over 'me too' charge by a woman journalist and the episode related to Akbar's stint as the editor and not as the minister.

Pradhan said he is disturbed to see the series of events that have unfolded in the last 10 days and sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I took responsibility of NEET paper leak from day one,” he said.

Pradhan's resignations comes amid Cockroach Janta Party-led protests at the Jantar Mantar, demanding his accountability over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and irregularities in the CBSE's on-screen marking process, besides seeking wider reforms in the conduct of public examinations.

Who are the #foreign funders? 

400 + history-sheeters 

2000 + people with #criminal background.  

Who brought them to the protest at Jantar Mantar? Where did the funding come from?

"Over 400 Pak-operated social media handles identified spreading fake content": Delhi Police on Jantar Mantar July 20 protest

Addressing a press briefing, police said several attempts had been made to spread misleading and false information related to the protest on social media. 

Delhi police also appealed to the public to verify the authenticity of posts, videos and photographs before believing or sharing them.

"Conversation has stopped even within families... ," says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat :::::: Police say - "More than 2000 people with criminal records came to Jantar Mantar"

At the 'Vishwa Mangalya Sabha' event, 

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, -

"...When we were young, it was an era of obedience. That's not the case anymore. The new generation asks questions. We have to explain the reasoning to them. We need to give them a lot of affection. We need to spend time with them. 

"We need to communicate with them... Nowadays, conversation has stopped even within families...".  

CPI MP, P Sandosh Kumar, says, 

"The point is that now again RSS is in the picture. A seemingly pro-student statement is an attempt to save their own man. The statement is very clear... He understands the mood of the nation, but the point is that this is how RSS works in our country. 

It's an attempt to save Dharmendra Pradhan. Where was this RSS during these days?... Dialogue and discussion are a very preliminary thing...".   

Delhi police say - "More than 2000 people with criminal records came to Jantar Mantar:

With the help of Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras, Delhi Police is identifying anti-social elements coming to Jantar Mantar. 

"130 Police personnel have been injured. 15 FIRs registered. 

About 65 students were injured in the protest. 

Around 10,000 people on average are present at and around Jantar Mantar, 3000 Police personnel deployed there.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also said, 

"...Now so many new technologies are coming... There will be no need to fear them. 

"We will harness technology, become masters of it, use it for the benefit of humanity, and we will create a contemporary expression of motherhood and all such things through our lives. This is our power..."

He further stated: 

"...there are people who work with a pledge to destroy everything that is considered auspicious, cultural, and legal prohibitions in the world today, and in a way, anarchy is created, 

because the world needs change... 

"This is the kind of movement society takes... But when such a storm of materialistic thought comes, all this stops, and because of it, everything goes upside down... the resources of creation are limited, 

and our aspirations are unlimited; then this means competition... 

"This will lead to conflict... It's natural. The strong will win."    

On meeting with the government, Cockroach Janta Party's National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, 

"...Yesterday's (July 24th) meeting yielded a positive response regarding compensation and legal matters. 

An in-principle agreement was reached. We hope to receive that return agreement today as well. 

But no concrete decision has ever been made regarding the main demand, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. 

In fact, what we saw yesterday on mainstream media was that sources were saying that Pradhan will not resign. 

If Pradhan does not resign, then let us know; then there is no point in this kind of meeting. We will work on our future strategy... 

If the government continues this way, then we will be forced to opt for the tough stance."

On Govt sacking 47 NTA officials, he says, "We'll have to look into a lot of details, but we're talking about the same thing again. 

The ultimate accountability is with the education minister, because he is directly responsible for all the paper leaks and students who committed suicide after the NEET paper leak. 

He will have to resign. 

"We're constantly discussing other broad reforms... Yesterday, we also submitted a charter of demands to the government. It has been submitted to the government...". 

ends 

Modi gained around 1 million followers on Instagram overnight ::::: Be active on Instagram, post reels to connect with youth, PM tells ministers :::: "Simply posting updates about government initiatives was not enough"

Be active on Instagram, post reels to connect with youth, PM tells ministers 

PM Narendra Modi encouraged ministers to post reels and create interactive content that resonates with younger audiences, the sources said.

"Simply posting updates about government initiatives was not enough." 

Instead, the ministers should use Instagram to interact directly with young people and communicate in a more engaging and accessible manner, sources said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Union ministers to strengthen their Instagram presence and post reels to engage with young audiences more effectively.

He stressed that the platform is an important medium for public outreach.  

Modi reportedly asked ministers how many of them were actively using platforms such as Instagram. 

He emphasised that a large section of the country's young audiences spends time on the platform and said the government should strengthen its engagement with them.  

The Prime Minister thanked youngsters for the overwhelming response to his late-night video, saying their love and suggestions had strengthened his bond with them.  

In a video posted on social media, he said, "Thank you friends. Last night, I got an opportunity to connect with you. The way you responded to the video I had posted and gave positive suggestions, thanks to everybody. 

Your love will continue, and our relationship will become even stronger. Thank you, thank you, friends."  

The latest video drew massive engagement on social media. The video crossed more than 2.5 million views within eight minutes of being posted. 

It also received over 1 million likes on Instagram within 20 minutes. The message came a day after PM Modi posted a video at 11.52 pm on Thursday announcing that the Union Cabinet would discuss a draft law providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment in paper leak cases.

In the nearly three-minute video message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said the government would make every effort to get the proposed legislation passed by Parliament at the earliest during the ongoing Monsoon Session. 

Modi also gained around 1 million followers on Instagram overnight following his late-night video posted on Thursday.

Calling examination paper leaks a serious issue, PM said such incidents had caused immense pain to lakhs of students and their parents. He asserted that the government was determined to ensure paper leak cases were dealt with more effectively.

A group of 93 retired civil servants has sought an independent judicial inquiry into the July 20 police action against student protesters in Delhi. They said the alleged use of pellets, tasers and surveillance against unarmed students demands accountability and dialogue.

ends