How Dharmendra Pradhan Rose Through a Paper Leak Protest

As demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation continue over the recent NEET-UG paper leak controversy, attention has once again shifted to an incident that first brought him into the national spotlight nearly three decades ago.

Ironically, Pradhan’s political rise began through a movement against an alleged examination paper leak in Odisha in 1997, when he emerged as a prominent student leader by spearheading protests demanding accountability from the state government.

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What Happened in 1997?

In 1997, Odisha was governed by the Congress under then Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik. At the time, Dharmendra Pradhan was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and served as its National Secretary.

Following allegations of an examination paper leak, Pradhan led a large-scale student protest in Bhubaneswar, accusing the state government of failing to protect the integrity of the education system.

The demonstration reportedly drew around 1,500 students, making it one of the most significant student-led protests in the state at the time. The movement demanded strict action against those responsible for the paper leak and greater transparency in the examination process.

The Protest That Shaped His Political Journey

The agitation played a crucial role in establishing Dharmendra Pradhan as a recognised student leader. His leadership during the movement significantly increased his political visibility and eventually paved the way for his entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Pradhan had been actively associated with the ABVP since the age of 18, where he built his organisational and leadership skills before transitioning into mainstream politics.

Today, the 1997 protest has once again become a point of public discussion, with many drawing comparisons between the movement that launched Pradhan’s political career and the current controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak, which has triggered nationwide protests and renewed demands for accountability.

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