A delegation from the Cockroach Janta Party met Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh on Saturday and turned down a government proposal to reassign Dharmendra Pradhan’s responsibilities rather than remove him from the cabinet, according to government sources. Officials stated that decisions on ministers’ roles or removals rest solely with the Prime Minister. The party insisted on Pradhan’s full resignation as Education Minister and rejected any alternative. On Monday, Pradhan received a warm reception from NDA members inside Parliament as a display of backing after his Saturday resignation amid widespread protests over the NEET paper leak. Opposition figures, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a separate demonstration alleging excessive police action against student protesters. The exchanges occurred as Parliament prepared to consider the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, intended to strengthen penalties for exam leaks following the NEET issue. BJP members gathered at the Makar Dwar entrance to welcome Pradhan, escorting him inside and presenting a ceremonial cap. Opposition members chanted “Shiksha Chori” and called on Home Minister Amit Shah to apologise for reported police conduct toward demonstrators. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh later expressed sympathy to Pradhan, who replied that he remained a “street fighter.” After several days of disruption in the Monsoon Session, Parliament is expected to debate the bill, which raises the maximum prison term for exam fraud to ten years and fines up to 50 lakh rupees.
