Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Credits Gen Z for Union Minister's Exit, Calls for Youth in Parliament

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has attributed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to sustained protests by Gen Z students. Speaking at a rally in Hyderabad on Saturday, Reddy clarified that neither the Congress party nor any other political party claims ownership of this victory.

“The smiles on the faces of Gen Z youth reflect victory. But this is not enough. The movement should now ensure that young people enter Parliament and the legislatures,” Reddy said, shortly after Pradhan’s resignation became public.

Reddy questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not met the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversy. He alleged that the Centre had failed to conduct examinations fairly, adding that thousands of young people had gathered to defend democracy, with democratic forces across the country uniting in support of the students’ movement.

Calling upon the youth to sustain the momentum, Reddy said the Gen Z movement should not stop with one minister’s resignation but continue until young people secure greater participation in India’s democratic institutions. He noted that while Gen Z constitutes nearly 30% of India’s population, its representation in Parliament remains below one per cent, making electoral reforms necessary.

Reddy announced that the Telangana Assembly would pass a resolution in August 2025 to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections to 21 years, and send it to the Prime Minister. He also said he would raise the issue with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, and seek the INDIA Bloc’s support for introducing and passing the necessary legislation in Parliament. The proposal was earlier made by TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud in his speech.

Arguing that youth should move beyond street protests, Reddy said their representatives must now enter Parliament and legislative bodies to shape national policies. He suggested that Gen Z should also be entrusted with key portfolios such as Education and Information Technology, saying younger leadership would better understand the aspirations of the new generation.

The rally was attended by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Sridhar Babu, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Mohd Azharuddin, Seethakka, Ponnam Prabhakar, Adluri Lakshman, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, and party MPs, MLAs and MLCs.