Bengaluru, 25 July

As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) hailed its victory after union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and was replaced by Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi on Saturday, Karnataka Congress unit stepped up its attack on the BJP-led Centre.

“Until Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who has commercialised everything from politics to education - is removed, neither education nor democracy will be safe,” former chief minister Siddaramaiah stated on X. “As long as the masters of authoritarianism and misrule remain in power, the departure of one disciple will change nothing.”

His statement came even as the student-led protesters across Karnataka erupted in celebrations. Siddaramaiah called on them to uproot “incompetent” Union government.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the day belongs to the students, but also thanked LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and “the entire Opposition” for “standing up for what is right”.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, however, noted that “Pradhan's resignation is not one of consciousness, or it is not one because he's taken accountability; it is because he's been forced to by the students”. He noted that Pradhan had cited “anti-national” elements in his resignation letter,  and that the Centre had "failed" to show remorse over the controversy.

Meanwhile a CJP-linked Instagram page stated that “picture abhi baki hai Modi”, while thanking people for showing up to the protests the outfit initiated. CM Shivakumar warned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the districts that they would be held responsible for any question paper leak in the State's recruitment examinations.

The direction comes not only in the wake of the NEET controversy, but also the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam.

Chairing the Bengaluru Revenue Division-level progress review meeting, Shivakumar told officials that Karnataka is undertaking a major recruitment drive where more than 70,000 posts are being filled. He said CCTV cameras must be installed at every examination centre.

"Question papers must be given enhanced security. Every stage, including preparation, printing, distribution and conduct of examinations, must be documented. Let the NEET scam remain a lesson for everyone. If question papers are leaked, the officials concerned, particularly the Deputy Commissioners, will be held responsible," he said.

He also indicated that the Cabinet may be expanded next week.