Our fight paid off: Jaipur students celebrate Dharmendra Pradhan's exit as 'moral victory'

Students in Jaipur celebrated Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation after days of protests over alleged NEET irregularities and education concerns. They called it a moral victory and said it should lead to accountability and reforms.

In Short

• Crackdown videos from Delhi's Sansad Chalo march sparked solidarity protests in Jaipur
• Students demonstrated at Patrika Gate, Shaheed Smarak and Rajasthan University
• Protests continued late nightly despite police objections over missing permission

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation sparked celebrations across Jaipur on Saturday, with students describing the development as a "moral victory" for a movement that had grown steadily over the past week over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and broader concerns about the education system.

The celebrations came days after the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march in Delhi, during which protesters alleged police brutality and excessive use of force.

Videos of the crackdown circulated widely on social media, particularly Instagram, fuelling outrage and inspiring solidarity protests in several cities, including Jaipur.

In Rajasthan's capital, demonstrations were held at multiple locations, including Patrika Gate, Shaheed Smarak and Rajasthan University.

For several days leading up to Pradhan's resignation, hundreds of students gathered outside Patrika Gate, demanding the minister's removal and calling for sweeping reforms in the education sector.

The protests often stretched late into the night, with students raising slogans, singing songs and using creative placards to criticise the Union Education Minister.

Protesters accused Pradhan of failing to ensure a transparent and reliable examination system and alleged that repeated irregularities had jeopardised the careers of lakhs of aspirants.

AGITATION DREW ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

Despite repeated requests from police to vacate the area, citing the lack of permission for the demonstrations, protesters remained at the site.

The agitation continued to draw participation from students, parents and civil society groups, particularly after images of the police action in Delhi drew widespread public attention.

Speaking to India Today before Pradhan announced his resignation, student leader Shubham, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for three days, said he would continue his fast until the minister stepped down.

"I will continue with my hunger strike till the Education Minister resigns," he said.

THE MOVEMENT EVOLVED BEYOND NEET

Another student protester from Maharani College said the movement had evolved beyond the NEET controversy and reflected wider concerns about the state of education.

"The education system is in shambles. We are protesting for reforms and to make the Education Ministry accountable," she said, alleging poor infrastructure, irregular classes and unhygienic conditions at her college.

Following Pradhan's resignation, students distributed sweets, celebrated what they called a "moral victory" and called it the beginning of long-awaited reforms in India's education system.

Many expressed hope that the resignation would mark the start of greater accountability and lasting changes in a sector they said had been neglected for years.

- Ends