Now just 'Sambalpur MP': Dharmendra Pradhan updates X bio following resignation

NEW DELHI: Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has updated his profile on X after resigning from the post following nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. He has removed "Union Education Minister" from his X bio and now describes himself only as the "Member of Parliament, Sambalpur." Pradhan submitted his resignation on Friday after days of protests over the NEET paper leak and alleged lapses in the education system.

Pradhan announced his resignation through his official X account ahead of the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). In his post, he said he decided to step down to prevent "anti-national forces" from creating confusion and taking advantage of the situation. The resignation of the Education Minister had been one of the key demands of the CJP, which has been leading large-scale protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for weeks. The issue had also stalled discussions between the Centre and the CJP.

In his post, Pradhan said he had dedicated more than four decades to serving students and teachers and advancing educational reforms. He also thanked the Prime Minister for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Union Education Minister. Pradhan admitted that irregularities had taken place in the NEET-UG examination held on May 3. He said he had never tried to avoid responsibility for the situation and had accepted accountability for what happened.