Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut termed Pralhad Joshi as temporary education minister and claimed that Devendra Fadnavis could be the next education minister. He said that PM Modi has made up his mind on this, but the decision on who will be the CM of Maharashtra is pending.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [भारत]July 26 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday termed the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Union Education Minister as a “temporary arrangement”. He claimed that the Center was looking for a permanent face and suggested that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could be considered for the post.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said, “Pralhad Joshi is the interim education minister right now. He could be a good coal minister. He has worked as a coal minister and for the BJP, but now he has been made the education minister. I believe this is a temporary arrangement; the government is actively looking for and deliberating on a permanent education minister.”
He further said, “As per my knowledge, Devendra Fadnavis can be the best education minister in the country. Modi ji has also made up his mind about this. He is connected to the ideology of RSS, is well educated, and has the experience of running a state.”
Raut said the decision could be delayed due to uncertainty over who will lead Maharashtra if Fadnavis moves to New Delhi. “However, the dilemma is this: If Devendra Fadnavis goes to Delhi, who will become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra? Due to this pressure the decision is on hold. Yet, the news from Delhi is that Modi ji has resolved to give the country a capable education minister.”
Targeted at Amit Shah
Raut also criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action during the students’ agitation at Jantar Mantar and alleged police atrocities against students and young women. Raut alleged, “Amit Shah is responsible for this. He is responsible for the mistakes being made even today. If there is one person responsible for weakening democracy, ruining the future of the youth and harming the country, then it is Amit Shah.”
He further claimed that Shah wanted to reach the country’s top political post and said, “However, Amit Shah can never become the Prime Minister of this country. The curse of the students is on him. Mark my words down.”
‘Government bowed before the power of youth’
On the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the 37-day long agitation, Raut said that the Center was forced to bow before the power of the youth movement. He said, “For the first time in 12 years, the Modi government had to bow before the power of the youth and accept their demands. A government should always be polite towards the people, but BJP governments have erased words like ‘humility’ and ‘restraint’ from their dictionary.”
Raut also alleged that many youth lost their lives during the agitation and faced police action. “Nevertheless, restraint is necessary, as 20 to 21 youth lost their lives in this movement; many committed suicide, endured lathicharge, suffered head injuries, were injured by pellet gun bullets, and some even lost their eyesight,” he said.
Tricolor rally announced
Referring to the Tricolor rally organized by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai, Raut said the event was to express gratitude after the conclusion of the Jantar Mantar movement. “Flags of any political party will not be shown at the rally. Only the tricolor will be present. Only two leaders – Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray – will address the gathering,” he said.
‘There should be a case of culpable homicide against the culprits’
On Aaditya Thackeray’s culpable homicide comment regarding the NEET-UG controversy, Raut said negligence in the examination system has contributed to the deaths of youth. Raut said, “If someone is held responsible for suicide, a case of culpable homicide is registered against him. If there is rule of law in the country, then such a case should be registered against everyone involved, from the Prime Minister to the Education Minister.”
He also claimed that the youth movement demonstrated the importance of political unity, adding, “Those in power should learn a lesson from this movement: one should not show the arrogance that comes with majority.”
On the India block, Raut said efforts are underway to strengthen the alliance and claimed that discussions have been held with several opposition leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He also gave a message to the opposition, “All the student organizations were seen united at Jantar Mantar. Be it Red Flag, Blue Flag, or anything else, everyone came together. The day the opposition unites keeping aside its flags and differences, Narendra Modi and his government will not be able to remain in power even for a day.”
On Sharad Pawar, he said, “Sharad Pawar is one of the most experienced leaders of the country. It is possible that Prime Minister Modi listened to him and considered his ideas, but the real blow came from the agitation at Jantar Mantar.”
On Pradhan’s statement that he was “distressed for ten days”, Raut said, “If he was distressed, why did he keep the youth hungry for so long? He should have resigned immediately.”
These comments come after Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Saturday amid the nationwide agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. After his resignation, Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)