![\"\u200bDharmendra](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132635659,imgsize-97321,width-400,height-225,resizemode-75\/-.jpg\" "\\"Dharmendra")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: For a party which rarely makes any concession to rivals on their terms and exudes an air of bold strength rooted in popular endorsement in polls, BJP\u2019s decision to bow to the student protest also reflects the pragmatism it has shown when confronted with street agitation \u2014 better to cut losses than let the pain fester into a more serious challenge.In Nov 2021, Modi had announced withdrawal of farm laws in the face of over a yearlong protest by farmers, which was largely confined to Punjab and parts of Haryana and western UP but had remained stubborn. The PM, too, had ascribed the decision to national interest, which observers thought was a reference to the sensitivity of Punjab as a border state.Pradhan\u2019s mention of the stir at Jantar Mantar but no acknowledgement of Congressled opposition\u2019s protest, which has kept Parliament\u2019s monsoon session deadlocked, is seemingly aimed at denying any credit to BJP\u2019s political rivals while conceding to CJP, which is not really an electoral threat.<\/p>\n With Rahul Gandhi, too, stepping up his agitation\u2014 his surprise demonstration outside Modi\u2019s residence on July 21 was a highlight \u2014 so as not to allow CJP, seen closer to its \u2018secular\u2019 rival AAP, hog the limelight, Congress is bound to lay claim to the credit. However, BJP has more often than not seen off its challenge without much political damage.There was sympathy in the ranks for Pradhan who, as petroleum minister, rolled out the vote-spinner Ujjwala scheme and stayed engaged with the cadre. He had a stream of visitors \u2014 home minister Amit Shah and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman included.\u201cWe had to swallow the bitter pill because there was a real risk of violence breaking out. Any loss of lives would have been blamed on us. Moreover, it was about students and their families,\u201d said a senior minister.The sense of resignation was accompanied by surprise as to why the leadership did not take measures it subsequently took to tackle the discontent: strengthening of the law against paper leaks, eviction of key bureaucrats from education ministry, drastic action against NTA officials, and Pradhan\u2019s resignation.In his statement, Pradhan, 57, who took charge of education ministry in July 2021, emphasised his decades-long commitment to students and education, and said he took responsibility of the fallout of the NEET-UG paper leak from the very first day.The re-exam result was declared on time, and many poor meritorious students made the cut, he said, while blaming those in responsible positions, alikely swipe at Rahul and other key opposition figures, for trying to mislead students.The BJP brass expressed its full backing for Pradhan, a deft politician who has been the choice of Modi and Shah in helming numerous state elections, as he stepped down. BJP president Nitin Nabin credited him for key reforms and lauded him for prioritising larger interests, in keeping with \u201cthe highest standards of integrity and selfless service in public life\u201d.<\/div>\nCJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n