New Delhi: Former Union Education Minister and BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan arrived at Parliament on Monday for the ongoing Monsoon Session and received a warm reception from BJP and NDA colleagues.
As Pradhan stepped out of his vehicle at Makar Dwar, party MPs raised slogans of “Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad” Several lawmakers draped a traditional cap and stole around him in a show of solidarity before escorting him into the complex. Pradhan acknowledged the greetings with folded hands and a smile.
The reception came two days after Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on July 25 following nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Opposition MPs present nearby countered with slogans such as “Chor Chor, Paper Chor” and criticised the ruling alliance for publicly welcoming the former minister. Congress leaders described the gesture as inappropriate and said it reflected a lack of sensitivity towards student concerns.
The Monsoon Session, which began on July 20, has already witnessed repeated disruptions linked to the examination issue and related protests. Both Houses are expected to take up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in the coming days.
Pradhan, who represents Sambalpur in Odisha, is attending Parliament as a BJP Lok Sabha member.
