Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday reiterated his demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and said that the party would intensify its agitation across Odisha over the issue.

Speaking to reporters after returning to Bhubaneswar from New Delhi, Patnaik said the demand for Pradhan's resignation was gaining support across the country following the police action against students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue in the national capital.

"The agitation is continuing across the country, and we are also holding protests in Odisha. The BJD will continue its agitation in the state in the coming days," Patnaik said.

Expressing concern over the police action, Patnaik said people were shocked by the violence against students. He also criticised the alleged rough treatment meted out to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and other senior leaders during the protests, saying the police's handling of the situation had surprised the entire nation.

Patnaik had on Tuesday, while in New Delhi, demanded Pradhan's resignation, citing the seriousness of the assault on students during a protest rally over the NEET paper leak issue. He had described the incident as a grave matter and said the injuries suffered by young protesters warranted accountability.

During his Delhi visit, Patnaik met BJD MPs to discuss the developments following the clash between protesters and police. A party delegation, led by Rajya Sabha MP and BJD Parliamentary Party leader Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, also visited the injured students at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, enquired about their health, and assured them of the party's support.

The BJD has also demanded a special discussion in Parliament on the alleged police assault on students and said it would continue to raise the issue both inside and outside the House.