"Democracy belongs to those who hold Govts accountable": Shashi Tharoor hails youth after Pradhan's resignation

Tharoor praised Gen Z for turning their frustration over examination irregularities into action, saying that youth had strengthened democracy by holding the government accountable.

In a video, Tharoor said, "The resignation of the Education Minister is an important moment. It reminds us of something fundamental about democracy: when citizens raise their voices peacefully and persistently, governments cannot remain indifferent. Today, it's not about him. It's about a whole generation of young Indians. And Gen Z, I am so proud of you. You took your frustration and turned it into action. You took your anger and channelled it with courage, creativity, and conviction. You refused to be silenced, and you reminded the country that democracy belongs not only to those who govern, but also to those who hold governments accountable."

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He added that while the resignation was an important step, reforms, transparent investigations, and accountability were needed to restore trust in the examination system.

"Keep making the memes, keep being edgy, keep asking uncomfortable questions, keep calling out hypocrisy, but above all, keep showing up. One resignation, I know, cannot ease the anxiety, uncertainty, and hardship that millions of young Indians have endured. It cannot, by itself, restore faith in our examination system. That requires transparent investigations, accountability for those responsible, and reforms that ensure that no student ever has to endure this again. Your voices mattered. Your courage mattered. You have strengthened our democracy. Keep "clocking it", Gen Z. Keep believing that your voice can change India. Today, you have proved that it can. This is only the beginning of reform. Let's stay at it," he further said.

This comes after Pradhan announced his resignation, saying he had submitted it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the interest of students and to ensure that the ongoing protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers owing to widespread student-led protests across the nation over the NEET paper leak.

Cockroach Janta Party's Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said the youth have sent a clear message to the next Union Education Minister that they will continue to raise their concerns if their issues are not addressed.

Speaking to the reporters, Das said, "The youth have warned whoever becomes the Union Education Minister that if their issues are not addressed, they will come back to Jantar Mantar and demand accountability from the government..."

Additionally, Union Minister JP Nadda said the government has assured that no action will be taken against organisers and protesters involved in the agitation, and no new cases will be registered in connection with the protests.

In a post on X, Nadda wrote, "The third round of talks with the CJP delegation was held today. The delegation submitted a written proposal covering cases related to the agitation along with its Five-Point Charter. The government assured that no action will be taken against the organisers and protesters, and no new cases will be registered in connection with the agitation. It also expressed condolences to the families of the students who lost their lives and assured them of the highest possible compensation as per the rules."

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"The government has responded positively to the Five-Point Charter on examination and education reforms and will continue discussions with the delegation. Students and youth have been requested to end the agitation peacefully and allow the dialogue process to continue," the post read.

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh also said, "The third round of talks with the representatives of the NEET issue related protesters ended successfully this evening, followed by a joint press conference to call off the agitation with immediate effect." (ANI)