New Delhi [India], July 26 : Newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said he will fulfil this duty with complete humility and responsibility.
Joshi was handed the additional charge of the Education Ministry after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking after taking charge, Joshi said, "The Prime Minister has placed his trust in me and has entrusted me with such a significant responsibility. With complete humility and a strong sense of responsibility, I will fulfil this duty...I thank the Prime Minister for giving me this important responsibility and for showing such great confidence in me. Under his guidance and leadership, I will work sincerely and try my best to meet his expectations in this department. With full dedication, humility, and honesty, I will work towards fulfilling this responsibility. I once again thank the Prime Minister for giving me this opportunity..."
Joshi credited former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), saying, "In the last 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, many historic achievements have been made. In the last four to five years, Dharmendra Pradhan also implemented the National Education Policy, and several important initiatives were undertaken. The country has made significant progress in the new education system. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, I will work to the best of my ability and fulfil my responsibilities with dedication," he further said.
Pradhan stepped down following student protests over the NEET paper leak.
Announcing his resignation earlier today, Pradhan said he had submitted it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the interest of students and to ensure that the ongoing protests over examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."
In a letter shared on X, Pradhan said, "The situation that has emerged at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country should not be exploited by anti-national forces. The unity of the country must remain intact. The future of every student in India should not get entangled in legal complications."
"Keeping these considerations in mind, I have sent my resignation to the Hon'ble Prime Minister," he said.