Had urged PM to hold talks with CJP, he may have heeded my advice: Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with the CJP leaders and not use force against the young protesters, and Modi might have taken note of his advice.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak issue was a major victory for the youth power and Indian democracy, the veteran leader told reporters here.

Pawar had met Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar in Delhi during the CJP's agitation for Pradhan's resignation, and later also met Prime Minister Modi.

"I personally met the Prime Minister and told him that dialogue is essential in a democracy. I had also told Abhijeet Dipke and other young protesters that if the government showed willingness to hold talks, they too should be ready for dialogue," he said.

When asked by a reporter whether the government's climbdown, as reflected in Pradhan's decision to resign, was the result of his talks with the PM, Pawar said, "I strongly urged the Prime Minister to initiate dialogue and not to use police action against the students. He may have taken note of what I said."

He would also like to thank the Opposition parties for extending "parliamentary and moral support" to the youth's movement, Pawar said, adding that the democracy in the country was witnessing a revival.

While congratulating the young protesters, he said the government should have avoided using lathicharge and tear gas against them. Shutting down Delhi Metro caused inconvenience to the general public and "the action taken against many young women protesters could also have been avoided," the former Union minister said.

“The struggle and determination shown by the youth over 28 consecutive days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the NEET paper leak case is truly commendable,” Pawar said in a statement earlier.

“In response to the insistent demand of the protesters, the Union Education Minister has finally resigned today. This fight, which was firmly against oppression without fear and forced the government to accept moral responsibility against injustice, is a symbol of the power of democracy. This is a major victory for the unity of the youth power in the country,” he added.