New Delhi, 25 July (H.S.): Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Saturday described the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a victory for democracy.

Sonam Wangchuk, who observed a 26-day hunger strike during the students' protest at Jantar Mantar, said in a post on X, This is a victory for democracy—direct democracy that has emerged from the streets. It is a victory of peace, patience and determination. He also expressed gratitude to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and the country's Gen Z for their support and participation in the movement.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the voice of India's students had finally reached the doors of those in power. He described the resignation as a victory for millions of young people who had raised their voices across the country to reform the education system. Kharge also called it a triumph of truth and of all those families who had lost their children. He said it was also a victory for a united Opposition, which had consistently raised students' concerns both inside Parliament and on the streets. He urged the government to apologise to the younger generation and take strict action against those responsible for the alleged brutality against students.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the development marked a victory for a generation that had grown weary of struggling against what he described as an unjust and corrupt system. He added that it was also a victory for the Opposition, which had stood firmly in solidarity with students throughout the movement.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the people's struggle had borne fruit and that Dharmendra Pradhan had ultimately been forced to resign. Calling it a major victory for democracy, he expressed hope that the government would reform the NEET system so that question paper leaks would no longer occur from next year onward. He also said the country must ensure that no child is driven to suicide because of flaws in the examination system.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said, Victory to the youth and student power. Wherever the energy of young people reaches, a new era begins. He said the movement, which started with the issue of paper leaks, would now expand to the demand for employment. He added that accountability would hereafter be fixed for every mistake and congratulated the protesters on the success of their movement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar