Pralhad Joshi named new education minister; former Dharmendra Pradhan updates X bio

Union Cabinet Minister Pralhad Joshi has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Education following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.

The statement said President Droupadi Murmu, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, accepted Pradhan's resignation. It added, "Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his existing portfolio."

Joshi is the Member of Parliament from Dharwad, Karnataka. He currently serves as the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). He is also the President of the International Solar Alliance.

Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation as Union Education Minister on Saturday, saying the decision was driven by the need to protect the future of students and prevent "anti-national forces" from exploiting the massive youth protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Pradhan's resignation marks a rare instance of a senior minister in the Narendra Modi government stepping down amid sustained street protests and political pressure.

The resignation came hours before the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Ahead of the meeting, CJP leaders had maintained that Pradhan's resignation was "non-negotiable" and made it the central demand of the protest movement.

Following Joshi's appointment, Cockroach Janta Party Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das issued a warning to the new Education Minister.

"The youth have warned whoever becomes theUnion Education Ministerthat if their issues are not addressed, they will come back to Jantar Mantar and demand accountability from the government," Das said.

Dharmendra Pradhan has updated his bio on X. "MP (LS), Sambalpur. Views personal. RTs not endorsement," reads his updated bio.

NCP (SCP) chief Sharad pawar reacting to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, said, "I personally met the Prime Minister and requested him to engage in dialogue, because in a democracy, communication is essential. If dialogue does not take place, it leads to adverse consequences."