Shabana Azmi on Dharmendra pradhan’s Resignation: ‘Students Have Won the First Battle, But the Fight Must Continue’
Shabana Azmi welcomes Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, calling it the first victory for students, but says the resistance must continue until education reforms are implemented and the examination system becomes transparent and fair.
7/25/20262 min read
New Delhi | July 25, 2026
Veteran actor and social activist Shabana Azmi has welcomed the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it an important victory for students protesting against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. However, she believes that this is only the beginning and that efforts to improve India's education system must continue.
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday following increasing public pressure over the alleged paper leak and other concerns related to competitive examinations. In his resignation letter, he stated that he was deeply disturbed by the events of the past several days and had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shabana Azmi Praises Students’ Determination
Reacting to the development, Shabana Azmi congratulated students and young protesters for standing up for their rights through peaceful demonstrations.
Speaking about the movement, she said she was proud of the country's youth for showing courage and faith in democratic values. According to Azmi, the students proved that collective action can bring positive change.
She described the resignation as "the first step towards the students' victory," but emphasized that the movement should not stop here.
Calls for Education System Reforms
Shabana Azmi said that while the resignation is a significant achievement, the larger goal should be to bring meaningful reforms to India's examination and education system.
She stressed that the movement should continue until the examination process becomes more transparent, secure, and fair for every student. She also called for the concerns raised by students to be addressed through long-term policy changes.
Support for Student Protests
Earlier this week, Shabana Azmi had joined protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where she expressed support for their demands and criticized the police action taken against some demonstrators.
She was also expected to attend a student protest in Mumbai, but had to cancel her participation after being diagnosed with swine flu.
Celebrities Back Students
Following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, several personalities from the entertainment industry expressed support for the students. Many described the resignation as a positive outcome of peaceful public participation and praised young people for raising their voices on issues affecting their future.
What Happens Next?
Although the resignation has been welcomed by many students and supporters, several protest groups have said that their movement will continue. Their key demands include stronger examination security, strict action against those responsible for alleged paper leaks, greater transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations, and reforms to restore trust in the education system.
Conclusion
Shabana Azmi's reaction reflects the mood of many students across the country. While Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is being seen as a major milestone, many believe that lasting reforms in the education system are still needed. As discussions on exam transparency and student welfare continue, the focus now shifts to the government's next steps in addressing these concerns.