Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu on Saturday praised former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after his resignation, describing him as "one of the finest public servants" and commending his commitment to India's youth.
In a post on X, Vembu said he was saddened by Pradhan's decision to step down but added that it had further increased his respect for the former minister.
"Shri Dharmendra Pradhan is one of the finest public servants I know. He cares deeply about the youth of this nation, and particularly about rural students. We have had many discussions on how to better skill our rural youth," Vembu wrote.
He added, "I am sad to see him resign. He has put the nation above self, and my respect for him is even greater now. Thank you for your service Pradhan-ji, please keep fighting the good fight."
Pradhan announced his resignation earlier on Saturday after weeks of nationwide protests demanding his removal over alleged leaks in the NEET UG exam and wider concerns over irregularities in the education system.
The protests, led by the "Cockroach Janata Party", began over allegations of exam paper leaks but later expanded into a broader campaign highlighting unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunities.
Demonstrators had repeatedly demanded Pradhan's resignation, with protests continuing in several cities despite police crackdowns.
The government had earlier announced fast-track courts for cases involving exam paper leaks and promised legislation to strengthen anti-cheating measures. However, protest leaders had maintained that demonstrations would continue until Pradhan stepped down and broader reforms to the examination system were introduced.
