JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh hold fresh talks with protesters; CJP says meeting at Jantar Mantar or neutral place | Today’s news
The Center is set to hold another round of talks with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders on Wednesday, when Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh are expected to meet the delegation amid ongoing protest against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The meeting comes two days after CJP representatives held discussions with Nadda and presented a charter of demands.
Ahead of the proposed meeting, CJP leader Sourav Das said the group remains open to dialogue but will not meet the ministers at their office or residence.
“They called us. We will not go to their office or their residence. The talks will be held either at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral location. We are open for talks from day one. They also approached us the day before yesterday. We understand that since they are ministers, there may be a security issue. We can meet at the Constitutional Club of India,” Das said.
New CJP demand
The new round of negotiations comes as the center continues to try to resolve a standoff with protesting students and activists.
The CJP expanded its list of demands on Wednesday, with spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka saying the group now does not want any FIRs or legal action against those who participated in the July 20 demonstration. Ranka said the agitation now has four demands: the release of Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, ₹1 million in compensation to the families of those who died by suicide and the withdrawal of all legal action against the peaceful protesters who participated in the July 20 protest.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament after the government agreed to hold a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak in the Lok Sabha.
Government agrees to discuss NEET issue in Parliament
According to PTI, Pradhan met Birla shortly after the government informed the House that it was willing to discuss the issue. The center also urged the Speaker to call an all-party meeting to decide on the rules, date and duration of the debate.
The development comes as protests against alleged irregularities in the investigation continue inside and outside parliament, with the opposition demanding Pradhan’s resignation and seeking a wider debate on the issue.
