“Students’ Voice Forces Change: Youth Congress Celebrates Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation at Bengaluru Protest”
Stand-up comedy event at Freedom Park highlights education issues, student concerns
Bengaluru, 25 July 2026: Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (KPYCC) State President H.S. Manjunath Gowda joined students and youth in celebrating what they described as the fulfilment of a long-pending demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The event was held at Freedom Park, where students had been staging protests over several days.
The KPYCC organised a special stand-up comedy programme featuring comedian Shyam Rangeela on Saturday evening, turning the protest platform into a space for satire and public expression. Hundreds of students and youngsters attended the programme, which aimed to highlight concerns over the education system, government policies, and issues affecting students through humour and social commentary.
Satire used as a tool to highlight student grievances
The organisers said the initiative was intended to move beyond traditional demonstrations and bring students’ concerns before the public through art. The programme focused on alleged failures in education governance, unfulfilled promises, and what the organisers termed an anti-student approach of the central government.
Addressing the gathering, KPYCC State President H.S. Manjunath criticised the government’s response to student protests and alleged attempts to suppress dissent.
“Today, it is being projected as though the BJP itself is the government and the country, and that questioning the party amounts to being anti-national. The lathi-charge on students protesting peacefully against NEET irregularities reflects an authoritarian mindset and an attempt to silence those who question the government,” he said.
Youth Congress assures continued support to students
Manjunath said the persistence of students had compelled the government to respond to their concerns. “The strength of students has forced the Prime Minister, who remained silent for a long time, to finally speak. The voice of students has disturbed the government, but students should not lose confidence. The Youth Congress will continue to stand with them,” he stated.
Referring to other recent protests, he also spoke about the government’s approach towards activist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging inconsistency in its response.
“Earlier, BJP leaders questioned Sonam Wangchuk’s credibility and accused him of various things. But later, ministers from the same government met him and appealed to him to end his hunger strike. This pattern of stepping back when situations become critical is not new,” he said.
Calling the student movement a beginning for wider change, Manjunath urged young people to continue raising their voices against injustice.
Representatives of various student organisations and thousands of students participated in the programme, which combined protest, political criticism, and cultural expression to amplify youth concerns.
“ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳ ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಜಯ: ಧರ್ಮೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಧಾನ್ ರಾಜೀನಾಮೆ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್”
