The Centre’s second round of talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy ended without a breakthrough on Friday, July 24, after nearly two hours of discussions at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The CJP refused to withdraw its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while the government said it would consider the group’s proposals and meet again on Saturday, July 25.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who addressed the media after the meeting, described the talks as cordial and said the delegation presented three core demands and five reform suggestions. “The meeting went on for almost two hours. We have heard their grievances in detail and will meet them again tomorrow,” he said, referring to Saturday, July 25.
CJP spokespeople, however, insisted Pradhan’s exit was non-negotiable. Ashutosh Ranka told reporters that the government had asked for time until tomorrow afternoon (July 25) to respond on the demand for the minister’s resignation. He added that the Centre had agreed to two demands: compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide and withdrawal of legal cases against students.
Another CJP spokesperson, Saurav Das, said the outfit had also sought a public apology from the Centre, the Rapid Action Force and the Delhi Police over alleged police action during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march. The group reiterated its call for Rs 1 crore compensation to families of students who allegedly died by suicide after the May 3 NEET examination was cancelled, withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters, and implementation of its five-point examination reform charter.
In a letter submitted to the government, the CJP said it had consulted supporters nationwide and reached a consensus that Pradhan’s resignation, compensation for victims’ families and legal immunity for protesters were non-negotiable. The group warned the agitation would intensify if these demands were not accepted.
The meeting came a day after Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh appealed to the outfit to hold talks, saying the government’s doors remained open “24×7.” It also followed the end of social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike on July 24 after receiving government assurances, and occurred hours after the Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill proposing stricter punishments for paper leaks.
Nadda said the government would deliberate further on the CJP’s demands ahead of the next round of discussions scheduled for Saturday, July 25, leaving open the possibility of additional negotiations as tensions around the NEET-UG paper leak controversy continue.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/national/cjp-refuses-to-budge-on-pradhans-resignation-after-second-round-of-talks-1614709
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Publish Date: 2026-07-24 18:09:00
