The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday said its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, keeping the standoff alive a day after renewed talks around the agitation.

The group’s leaders reiterated that the demand for Pradhan’s resignation remains central to the movement, which has unfolded amid heightened security, legal action, and transport disruptions in Delhi.

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Not a whisker of ground conceded

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest would not be withdrawn until the group’s demands were met.

“We won’t call off our protest until our demands are met and Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. We won’t let Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike go in vain,” he said.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had earlier described Pradhan’s resignation as “non-negotiable” and said the protest would continue until the demand was met.

Das also said he had spoken several times during the day with Wangchuk and that both agreed the movement should remain peaceful.

The bargain rests on one solemn assurance

Wangchuk, meanwhile, said he was prepared to end his indefinite hunger strike if the Union government gave an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against students and young people who joined the protest.

In a letter addressed to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, Wangchuk said they had assured him the government would positively consider compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after the alleged NEET paper leak and would hold a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability for examination irregularities, including the question of Pradhan’s resignation.

“Therefore, I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action,” he wrote.

The courts have spoken, the streets stay restless

Wangchuk added that he would end his fast if such an assurance were given but would continue indefinitely in its absence.

The same day, Delhi Police said it had registered 10 FIRs in connection with the protest, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation shut 16 stations until further notice, keeping interchange facilities open at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat.

The Delhi High Court also dismissed a PIL challenging Wangchuk’s shifting from the Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital.

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FAQs

Q1: Why is the CJP protest continuing despite talks with the Centre?

The CJP says the protest will continue because it considers Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a non-negotiable demand.

Q2: Under what condition will Sonam Wangchuk end his hunger strike?

Wangchuk said he will end his hunger strike if the government assures that no punitive action will be taken against student protesters.