Dharmendra Pradhan, the Education Minister of Odisha, has resigned following intense student protests over errors in textbooks for Classes I to VIII, according to reports from thehindu.com. The controversy erupted after thousands of errors were discovered in the educational materials, prompting widespread public outrage and calls for accountability.
Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has urged the Education Minister to resign, aligning with demands from the opposition Congress party. The Congress had previously threatened a state-wide strike, or "bandh," if Pradhan did not step down within a week. The protests have intensified, with students and educators demanding transparency and corrective measures.
In response to the resignation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised the youth for their actions, calling the movement a significant step toward education reform. He also urged broader public action to hold the government accountable and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The situation highlights growing public dissatisfaction with educational governance in the state.
The resignation marks a pivotal moment in Odisha’s political landscape, with ongoing discussions about the future of educational reforms and government accountability.
