Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned last week over NEET paper leaks, on Monday declared that he is a "street fighter" and not an AC room activist.
The remarks came in reply to Jairam Ramesh's comments when the BJP MP was welcomed by NDA lawmakers welcomed Pradhan at Parliament's Makar Dwar entrance. The MPs presented him a traditional cap and a stole and greeted him with "Pradhan Zindabad" slogans.
Meanwhile, MPs from the Congress and opposition parties shouted "Chor, Chor, Paper Chor", slamming the ruling coalition for felicitating Pradhan.
Amid these chants from both sides, senior Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh approached Pradhan, sympathising with him. He said, "It happens."
To this, the former education minister said, "Nothing happened. I am a street fighter. Not an AC room activist."
Later, Ramesh took to X, saying the BJP MPs were welcoming Pradhan as if he had achieved some great feat.
"The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country's youth," Ramesh said in his post in Hindi.
"The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan's work was commendable? If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country's youth and students?"
However, Pradhan did not respond when reporters sought his response to the new anti-paper leak bill and on his resignation.
On Monday, the Centre introduced an anti-paper leaks amendment bill in the Lok Sabha, proposing stricter punishment of up to 10 years in prison and ₹50 lakh fine. The new Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 suggests that investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months.
