Pradhan’s resignation, no legal action against protesters ‘non-negotiable’ demands: Inside CJP-Govt talks amid protests | Today’s news

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday maintained that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains its key demand during the latest round of discussions with the Center over the alleged NEET paper leak and related issues. He was also looking for clothes ₹1 crore as compensation to the families of aspirants who died of suicide after the NEET exam was canceled on May 3 as one of the “non-negotiable” demands.

The CJP and the government are set to resume talks on Saturday.

A two-member CJP delegation met Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Vithalbhai Patel House in New Delhi for nearly two hours.

What CJP told Govt

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The main demands of the Cockroach Janta Party include the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of ₹1 million to the families of students who committed suicide after the NEET exam was cancelled, and no legal action against the protesters.

The CJP has insisted on Pradhan’s resignation over allegations of his mismanagement of the NEET paper leak and subsequent protests, saying he bears moral responsibility for the resulting suffering among students.

The government is currently discussing the CJP’s demands, with Union Minister JP Nadda saying the matter will be taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that another meeting is planned to continue these discussions.

The government is proposing new legislation that includes the establishment of fast-track courts and stiff penalties to combat the leak of exam documents and ensure accountability.

The CJP has made it clear that the key demand is that there be no legal action against the protesters, and during the discussions the government appears to have agreed to this demand in principle.

The CJP demanded that the Government of India, the head of the Rapid Action Force and the Delhi Police Commissioner issue a public apology to the students who were brutally attacked by security personnel during the protest.

Read also | NEET Row: Govt-CJP fresh talks tomorrow, main demand for Pradhan’s resignation

“Over the past few days, we have held extensive consultations with our supporters and members across the country and with the protesters at Jantar Mantar. We have reached a clear consensus that our demands, namely the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, re-conduct of the examination for NEET aspirants, and no legal action against the protesters, are non-negotiable,” the letter said.

“Furthermore, the Government of India, the Rapid Action Force Commander and the Delhi Police Commissioner should publicly apologize to the students who were brutally attacked by the state forces,” he added.

Read also | After DU JNU asks students to refrain from joining the CJP Jantar Mantar protest

“We demand that all these demands be accepted as soon as possible, otherwise the movement will only grow and spread across the country. We would also appreciate the government’s response to our five-point charter of demands for examination reforms. The charter will prove to be key to bringing about the larger structural reform needed in the education system,” he added.

What did Saurav Das say after meeting Union Ministers?

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said, “We have told the Union ministers that our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable.”

Das added that the organization also urged the government to provide ₹1 million compensation to the families of students who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs registered against the protesters.

“We will be forced to make another national call if….”: Ashutosh Ranka after meeting the government

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party has told the Center that protesters in more than 150-200 cities across the country have united in demanding Pradhan’s resignation or recall.

Read also | Were firearms used during the July 20 CJP protest? What we know so far

Ranka said the government had informed the delegation that the demand would be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that a new round of talks was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. He added that the CJP hoped for a final decision at the meeting and warned that if no solution was reached, the organization would be forced to issue another nationwide protest call.

“We have also conveyed that protesters in more than 150-200 cities are united in demanding the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the Cabinet. The government has said that the matter will be taken up with the Prime Minister and another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. We expect a concrete decision soon, failing which we will be forced to give another nationwide call to journalists at Jantar Mantar.”

JP Nadda reacts

Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda said the government has heard the demands raised by the CJP and informed its representatives that a reply would be communicated after due consideration.

“We will meet again on Saturday,” Nadda said after the meeting.

Friday’s meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the Center and the CJP to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the organization’s demands regarding alleged examination irregularities.