Pune: Celebrations over Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation were reported at several places across the city on Saturday. The SPPU Teachers’ Association also issued a statement on Saturday condemning the alleged use of force and violence against protesting students across the country, stressing that campuses must remain spaces for dialogue, dissent and democratic engagement.Rahul Dambale, activist and parent who organised the celebration at Good Luck Chowk on Saturday, called Pradhan’s resignation the tribute to students who took their lives allegedly due to NEET question paper leak. “The central govt tried first attempted to dismiss the students. Then subjected them to brutal lathi charge and even labelled them as terrorists. However, students stood their ground for legitimate rights and garnered immense support from across the country.
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Even if the resignation is merely an act of damage control, it is still significant,” said Dambale adding that a celebration is planned at SPPU at 4pm on Sunday.A protest at Nigdi Chowk, in PCMC, also turned into a celebration over Pradhan’s resignation. Prathamesh, a postgraduate student, said, “We are here in support of the students who are were their protest at Jantar Mantar. Our gathering is also in solidarity with the victims of police brutality across India. There is a need to overhaul the education system and make people accountable,” said Prathamesh.Meanwhile, Sameer Uttarkar, an activist from Pashan, said firecrackers were lighted and sweets were distributed in Pashan to celebrate the resignation of Pradhan. “We had a protest march planned in Pashan on Sunday but now that Pradhan has resigned, we decided to cancel it. These few days showed what the power of youth, education and unity is,” said Uttarkar.While protests were earlier planned on Sunday at various places such as Kothrud, Ambedkar Chowk and Pashan, all of them were cancelled after Pradhan’s resignation.
