Students and CJP activists stage ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar amid demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
NEW DELHI: The second round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday ended without an immediate resolution on the core demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The government has sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond, keeping the ongoing student agitation at Jantar Mantar in a state of continued uncertainty.
Details of the Second Round of Talks
The nearly two-hour meeting took place at the neutral venue of Constitution Club of India in Delhi. The government side was represented by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State for PMO Dr Jitendra Singh. CJP was represented by national spokesperson Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Post-meeting, CJP leaders stated that the Centre has sought additional time on the resignation demand but has expressed in-principle approval for two other key demands: compensation to families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and the withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against peaceful student protesters. Another round of talks is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
JP Nadda noted that the government would hold internal discussions on the demands before the next meeting.
CJP’s Unwavering Stance
CJP has maintained that Pradhan’s resignation remains “non-negotiable.” Founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokespersons have repeatedly emphasized that nothing short of the minister’s removal will resolve the crisis.
The group welcomed the end of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike but clarified that the Jantar Mantar protest will continue until their primary demand is met.
The talks come hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast following government assurances.
The Centre has also taken other steps, including bureaucratic changes in the Education Ministry and announcements regarding fast-track courts for paper leak cases.
Opposition parties continued their protests in Parliament, demanding a discussion on the issue and Pradhan’s resignation.
The protests, now in their fifth week, have seen heightened security measures, including metro station closures and cancellation of police leaves in Delhi. Legal proceedings related to police action during earlier marches are also underway in various courts.
This round of dialogue reflects an ongoing effort by the government to address the agitation through negotiation while the CJP maintains pressure on the streets and through public discourse.
The coming 24-48 hours will be critical, as the government’s response on Saturday could determine whether the protests de-escalate or intensify further.
The movement, initially sparked by NEET irregularities, has evolved into a larger call for accountability and reforms in the national examination system.
How the Centre balances these demands with its reform announcements will likely shape the next phase of this youth-led campaign.
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