Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmednagar

Ahmednagar, Jul 26: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday welcomed the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying the students' movement had achieved success while stressing that public issues should always be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.

Reacting to Pradhan's resignation, Hazare said no one should view the outcome as a victory or defeat.

"Every issue can be resolved through dialogue. Problems cannot be solved by taking the wrong path. I have undertaken 22 hunger strikes, but I have never resorted to violence. After the resignation, I do not see it as someone winning or losing. Continue doing whatever is possible for the welfare of society," he said.

Earlier, Hazare had staged a silent protest in Ahmednagar in support of students demonstrating in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak. Ahead of the protest, he displayed banners urging the government to engage in dialogue rather than resort to suppression.

He had also expressed concern over the alleged examination paper leak, unemployment and recruitment-related issues, and called on the government to address these concerns through discussions.

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced the withdrawal of its agitation after the Centre accepted its key demands following the third round of talks between party leaders and Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.

Addressing a joint press conference, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka said the party's principal demands included the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, withdrawal of all FIRs registered against protesters, and compensation of Rs 1 crore for those injured during the agitation. They said the protest was withdrawn after the Centre agreed to these demands.