'Drowned In Arrogance Of Power': Rahul Gandhi Seeks Pradhan's Resignation Over 'Terrorist' Jibe

Last Updated:June 25, 2026, 14:12 IST

Rahul Gandhi demanded Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over his 'terrorist' jibe, accusing the Centre of targeting students instead of addressing exam paper leak concerns.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his reported remarks against protesting students, accusing the Centre of branding young people demanding fair examinations and a secure future as “terrorists" instead of addressing failures in the education system.

In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that the government had become so “arrogant" that students seeking justice over examination irregularities were being vilified.

“Drowned in the arrogance of power, the Modi government has now reached a point where the Education Minister is calling students, who are merely demanding their rights, fair examinations, and a secure future, ‘terrorists’," Gandhi wrote.

Targeting Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it was ironic that the minister, whom he blamed for repeated examination failures, was now attacking students protesting against the system.

“Just think about it, the one whose failures led to so many paper leaks, under whose rule 20 children lost their lives, who has pushed the futures of millions of youth into darkness, is today labelling the suffering children and those raising their voices as ‘terrorists’," he said.

Gandhi further accused the BJP-led government of repeatedly branding those who question it with derogatory labels, drawing parallels with earlier remarks directed at farmers and government critics.

“But this is nothing new: Farmers, the nation’s food providers, were called ‘professional agitators and parasites.’ Those who ask questions were branded ‘Anti-National.’ And now, the youth are being called ‘terrorists’," he said.

“Anyone who questions the government, label them a traitor; that’s the entirety of their politics," Gandhi added.

The Congress MP demanded that Pradhan apologise to students across the country and step down as Education Minister.

“Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, immediately apologise to the millions of youth in this country and resign for your failures," he said.

Reiterating his criticism of the country’s education system, Gandhi said he would continue speaking out against what he described as systemic exploitation.

“As for me, go ahead and attack me as much as you want. I said it in Kota, and I say it again: This education system has today become nothing but an extortion racket. I won’t let it continue like this," he wrote.

He added that ensuring “every child gets affordable, quality education and fair examinations" was a cause for which he would continue to raise his voice.

Gandhi’s remarks came amid an intensifying political row over comments allegedly made by Pradhan during an interview regarding protests demanding his resignation over the NEET paper leak issue.

The controversy stems from Pradhan’s reported remarks in an interview, where he described those protesting at Jantar Mantar and demanding his resignation as the “B team of terrorists."

Speaking about the protesters, the minister said they were the “B team of terrorists. Those who were rejected in democracy have come in disguise and are now after the system. They raise slogans for those who want to divide the country."

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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