The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday claimed that the Centre has sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond to its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, following the second round of talks between protest leaders and the government.

CJP spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh as the student-led agitation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak continued in Delhi. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Ranka said the government had shown “in-principle” acceptance of two key demands, while requesting more time on the issue of Pradhan’s resignation.

Govt seeks time on Dharmendra Pradhan resignation

Reiterating the group’s stand, Ranka said the resignation of the education minister remains the central demand of the protest.

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“Dharmendra Pradhan needs to resign or he needs to be sacked. We spoke to the government in detail about this. The government has sought time till tomorrow afternoon to respond to this demand,” Ranka told reporters, warning that delay in Pradhan’s removal would only make the protest bigger.

Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) Spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka meet Union Minister JP Nadda and Union MoS Jitendra Singh
ZOOM IMAGE
Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka meet Union Minister JP Nadda and Union MoS Jitendra Singh | ANI

The CJP has maintained that Pradhan’s resignation is a non-negotiable demand despite recent government announcements aimed at addressing concerns over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.

Centre agrees ‘in-principle’ to two demands

According to Ranka, the government has agreed in principle to provide compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and to ensure that no legal action is taken against student protesters.

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Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike shortly after midnight on Friday, had also been pressing for both demands. He said the government gave written assurances that families of students who died by suicide due to the alleged NEET paper leak would receive compensation.

Wangchuk also said the government stated in writing that it was “positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those participating in the march to Parliament on July 20.”

Abhijeet Dipke alleges possible detentions

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed the organisation had received information suggesting that authorities could attempt to detain or arrest protesters on Friday night.

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“We have been informed that since tomorrow is Saturday, followed by Sunday, a much larger crowd is expected. That is why the government is trying to detain or arrest us tonight,” PTI quoted him as saying.

Dipke said a larger turnout is expected over the weekend and warned that any police action would only strengthen the ongoing protest. While the Centre has said it is open to discussions on the NEET paper leak issue and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced measures including fast-track courts, the CJP has insisted that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains its primary demand.

FAQs:

Why is CJP demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation?

CJP holds Dharmendra Pradhan politically accountable for the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and says his resignation remains a non-negotiable demand.

What did the government agree to during the second meeting with CJP?

According to CJP, the Centre agreed in principle to compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and no legal action against peaceful student protesters.