Gen Z thanks for taking Center bow: Telangana CM

Hyderabad

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy credited the Central Government for agreeing to the resignation demand of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the persistent struggle of Gen Z students and said that neither the Congress nor any political party would claim ownership of the victory.

“The smiles on the faces of the Gen Z youth reflect victory. But that is not enough. The movement should now ensure that young people get into parliament and legislatures,” the chief minister told a rally in Hyderabad after Mr Pradhan stepped down as education minister on Saturday.

The Chief Minister asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet the families of the students who allegedly committed suicide following an exam dispute. Alleging that the Center had failed to conduct the examinations fairly, Mr. Reddy said thousands of youth had come together to defend democracy and claimed that democratic forces across the country had united in support of the student movement.

Urging the youth to keep up the momentum, Mr Reddy said the “tsunami” of the Gen Z movement should not end with the resignation of one minister but should continue until the youth secure greater participation in the country’s democratic institutions. He argued that while Gen Z makes up nearly 30% of India’s population, its representation in parliament remains below one percent, making electoral reforms necessary and timely.

He assured that the Assembly would pass a resolution in August this year to lower the age limit for filing a case to 21 years and send the same to Mr. Modi. He also said that he will raise the issue with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and seek the support of the INDIA bloc to introduce and pass the necessary legislation in Parliament. In his speech, TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud suggested this.

Arguing that the youth should move on from street protests, Mr. Reddy said their representatives must now enter Parliament and legislatures to shape national policy. 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.

Among those present were 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.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 21:49 IST