‘I’m a street fighter, not an AC-room activist’: Dharmendra Pradhan

“Breaking his silence for the first time after his resignation, former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday described himself as a “street fighter,” and not an “A/C room activist.”

Pradhan reportedly made the remark during an interaction with senior Congress MP Jairam Ramesh in the corridors of Parliament.

During their conversation, the two leaders reminisced about their long association. At one point, Ramesh reportedly remarked, “It happens.” Responding to this, Pradhan said, “Nothing happens. I’m a street fighter, not an A/C room activist.” Pradhan is the Lok Sabha member from Odisha’s Sambalpur constituency.

The Congress criticized the BJP for felicitating Pradhan in the Parliament House complex, calling the gesture “utterly shameful” and “a grave insult” to the country’s youth.(updated on 27th july 2026)