# Misleading Gen Z over NEET paper leak made me quit: Pradhan 2026-08-08T23:09:28+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said attempts to mislead Gen Z during protests over the NEET paper leak prompted his resignation. Speaking at GM University in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said the ministerial post was never important to him. He accused BJD chief Naveen Patnaik of engaging youths in protests against him, adding that he became a minister 12 years ago with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Samaleswari. The BJD hit back, with state president Rohit Pujari claiming Pradhan faced criticism over the handling of student protests. Pujari alleged that the BJP government's "wrong policy" brought a bad name to Pradhan. He claimed 21 students died by suicide and 21 lakh aspirants must be under depression. Sources said Sambalpur police detained around 30 BJD workers as a precautionary measure. ## Coverage - economictimes.indiatimes.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - indiatoday.in Tags: BJD, BJP, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gen Z protest, NEET paper leak, resignation Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pradhan-says-he-quit-over-attempts-to-mislead-gen-z-on-neet/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pradhan-says-he-quit-over-attempts-to-mislead-gen-z-on-neet/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.