Reacting to the Paper Leak Controversy and Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation
New Delhi, Former Chairman of the Delhi State Urs Committee, F.I. Ismaili, has reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, stating that the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar and the growing unrest among students across the country ultimately compelled the government to take this decision. According to him, the resignation came under immense public pressure and represents a setback for what he described as the government’s arrogance and rigid approach.
Ismaili said that although the resignation has taken place, many important questions still remain unanswered. He added that the students’ movement has demonstrated that public sentiment and the voice of the youth can no longer be ignored.
He said that in the initial stages, the government and its supporters attempted to portray the protests as politically motivated. However, the students remained clear that the issue was not political but concerned serious flaws in the examination system that urgently required reform.
Ismaili further alleged that the government had undermined accountability and responsibility by branding those who questioned it as agents of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or China, or even as terrorists. He claimed that the country’s youth had rejected this narrative.
He also alleged that Mohammad Junaid, who was distributing food to protesters at Jantar Mantar, was being harassed, calling such actions unjustified. According to Ismaili, the young people participating in the protest also rejected what he described as attempts to spread communal hatred and Hindu-Muslim division.
He said that the need of the hour is not only a resignation but meaningful systemic change. The government, he added, should move away from making decisions behind closed doors and instead ensure transparency, accountability, public trust, and justice for every section of society.
Concluding his statement, Ismaili said that the youth have fulfilled their responsibility, and now it is for the government to apologise to the younger generation and take strict action against police personnel who have been accused of using batons and pellet guns against protesting students.
