New Delhi: As demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation gather momentum following the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protests over the NEET controversy, there has been no indication from either the minister or the Centre that he is stepping down. Instead, Pradhan has largely avoided engaging directly with the resignation campaign, keeping his public messaging focused on government initiatives and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurances on exam reforms.

The question- Is Dharmendra Pradhan resigning? has become one of the biggest talking points as Parliament continues to witness repeated disruptions over the Opposition's demand for his removal and a discussion on alleged examination irregularities.

Since protests escalated after the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march and subsequent police action against demonstrators, Pradhan has maintained a noticeably restrained public profile.

His only substantive remarks on the controversy came in a social media post accusing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of politicising students' concerns. He said the government was prepared for a comprehensive discussion on NEET in Parliament and maintained that the Centre remained committed to accountability and reforms rather than political confrontation.

Beyond that statement, the Education Minister has avoided commenting directly on calls seeking his resignation.

Rather than addressing the protests, Pradhan's recent engagements have centred on official responsibilities.

He chaired a meeting with Members of Parliament from Odisha to discuss development-related issues and support for children with learning disabilities.

He also delivered a keynote address at a conclave of state and Union Territory education ministers, where he spoke extensively about the National Education Policy, mother-tongue education and curriculum reforms without referring to the ongoing controversy over examination leaks.

His social media activity has similarly focused on routine government work, festival greetings and tributes, while repeatedly sharing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcements on measures aimed at preventing future paper leaks.

As the government sought to reassure students, Modi announced that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases and said stricter legal provisions would be introduced against those responsible.

Pradhan amplified these announcements by reposting the Prime Minister's messages instead of issuing fresh statements of his own, signalling that the government's communication on the issue would largely be led from the top.

While Pradhan has kept a low profile, political pressure has shown little sign of easing.

The Opposition has repeatedly demanded his resignation inside and outside Parliament, arguing that accountability must accompany any discussion on examination reforms. The issue has contributed to repeated adjournments during the Monsoon Session as Opposition parties continue pressing for a dedicated debate.

Meanwhile, representatives of the CJP recently met Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh, reiterating that their demands remain unchanged. The government has sought additional time before formally responding to the group's representation.

For now, there is no official indication that Dharmendra Pradhan will resign. The Centre's strategy appears focused on defending its handling of the issue through proposed legal and administrative reforms while resisting Opposition demands for the minister's removal.

With Parliament expected to continue debating the controversy and talks between the government and CJP still underway, the political spotlight is likely to remain firmly on the Education Minister in the days ahead.