Govt stands by Pradhan, CJP holds ground

During the meeting, CJP also raised concerns over the alleged detention of protesting students by Delhi Police

The Government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday remained firm on their respective positions during the third round of talks between them. While the protesting students pressed that their demand for resignation of Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, was non-negotiable, the Government ruled it out, saying, “resignation is the easiest decision to take”, adding that it stands with the minister. The two parties will meet again on Saturday.

The CJP spelt out its stand in a letter to the Government. “Over the last few days, we have held extensive consultations with supporters and members across the country and protesters at Jantar Mantar. We have arrived at a clear consensus that our demands, namely the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Rs 1 crore compensation for NEET victims, and no legal action against protestors, are non-negotiable. Furthermore, the Government of India, the head of the Rapid Action Force, and the Delhi Police Commissioner ought to publicly apologise to the students who were brutally thrashed by their forces,” the letter stated.

The organisation also requested that the demands be accepted at the earliest. If not, the movement would only grow bigger and spread across the country, it said.

After the meeting, Union minister JP Nadda said, “The meeting went on for almost two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had among the Government.”

The parleys took hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night following Government assurances on his key demands.

Students also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of those who committed suicide after the cancellation of the NEET test on May 3, its spokesperson Saurav Das said.

The meeting held at the Vithalbhai Patel House was aimed at finding an amicable solution to protests over the NEET paper leak and other irregularities in the exam system.

During the meeting, the CJP also raised concerns over the alleged detention of protesting students by Delhi Police.

The party claimed that students, volunteers, lawyers and even people delivering food were being detained while travelling to or from the protest site.

Friday’s meeting took place hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night following Government assurances on his key demands.

The CJP had earlier declined the Government’s invitation to hold talks at a minister’s residence or office, insisting that discussions should take place at a neutral venue. The outfit has maintained that its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Pradhan resigns.