The Centre on Thursday renewed its invitation for talks with the protesting Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying it had sent four proposals for discussions in the past 24 hours and was willing to speak to the demonstrators “at your convenience” and “at any time”.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the talks could take place at Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s residence or office and added that he and Nadda would take part in the discussions.

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The olive branch meets a restless square

The outreach came as the protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and related examination irregularities continued to gather pace in New Delhi, with the agitation centred at Jantar Mantar.

The CJP had also called for nationwide protests on Friday against “police brutality” during the July 20 agitation.

Singh said the government was not approaching the matter as an issue of “prestige or ego” and described the talks as part of a series of steps taken for the welfare of students.

He also linked the renewed appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of fast-track courts for those found guilty in paper leak cases.

The address becomes the argument

The protesters, however, rejected the offer to meet at Nadda’s residence or office. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the group would sit for talks only at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral venue.

“There will be no meeting at JP Nadda’s residence,” he said, adding that the group did not want “empty gestures or mere optics”.

He said the protesters wanted the government either to accept some of their demands or clearly spell out how long it would take to fulfil them.

In a separate briefing, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the group was open to dialogue and could consider a neutral venue near the protest site if there were security concerns.

Assurances sought before hands are shaken

Das also said the group would seek a guarantee that no fresh FIRs would be filed and no punitive action would be taken against peaceful protesters linked to the movement.

Earlier this week, JP Nadda had also met a CJP delegation, which pressed for the resignation of the education minister and compensation for the affected students.

The latest exchange has left the meeting venue as the main point of contention.

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FAQs

Q1: Why has the Centre invited the CJP for talks again?

The Centre said it wants to discuss the protesters’ demands and has sent multiple proposals, stating it is ready to meet “at any time” and “at your convenience.”

Q2: Why did the CJP reject the government’s latest talks offer?

The CJP said it would only hold talks at Jantar Mantar or a neutral venue, rejecting a meeting at Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s residence or office.