Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday described former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as an example of placing national interest and students' welfare above political office, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) considers the country and its youth more important than any position.

Reacting to Pradhan's resignation amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, Shah said the decision reflected the BJP's commitment to accountability and public interest.

'Nation and Students Come First'

In a post on social media platform X, Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and remains committed to strengthening the integrity of India's examination system.

He said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards examination malpractices, including paper leaks, and reiterated that those found guilty would face strict legal action.

According to Shah, maintaining the credibility of competitive examinations remains one of the government's highest priorities.

Government Focused on Restoring Trust

The Home Minister said the Centre's objective is to safeguard the confidence of millions of students who prepare for competitive examinations through hard work and merit.

He stated that the government has already initiated several reforms to improve transparency, fairness and security in the examination process and would continue efforts to make the system more robust.

Praises Pradhan's Tenure

Shah also highlighted Dharmendra Pradhan's contribution to the education sector, saying significant progress had been made under his leadership in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP).

He credited the former minister with expanding PM SHRI Schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development initiatives and improving collaboration between educational institutions and industry.

According to Shah, these reforms were aimed at preparing India's education system for future challenges while making it more inclusive and student-centric.

Political Reactions Continue

Pradhan's resignation follows weeks of protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.

The development has triggered sharp political reactions across party lines. While opposition parties have described the resignation as a victory for students' protests, the BJP has maintained that it reflects the government's commitment to accountability, institutional reforms and national interest.