CJP Sticks To Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation, Says Govt 'Positive' On Two Key Demands; Talks Resume Tomorrow

New Delhi: The standoff between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) remained unresolved on Friday, with the outfit refusing to soften its stand on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan despite claiming that the government had responded positively to two of its key demands—withdrawal of FIRs against protesters and compensation for families affected by the NEET controversy.

The development came after a nearly two-hour meeting between Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and a CJP delegation led by its chief spokesperson Saurav Das and national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka.

The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Saturday at 3:30 PM, with CJP saying the next round of discussions will take place at a neutral venue.

JP Nadda: Three Demands, Five Reform Suggestions Discussed

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Union Minister JP Nadda described the discussions as "constructive" and said the deliberations covered both the immediate demands raised by the protesters and long-term examination reforms.

"The meeting lasted nearly two hours, covering three main demands and five reform suggestions for examinations. We will reconvene tomorrow afternoon for further discussion," Nadda said.

His remarks indicated that the dialogue between the Centre and the protesters would continue, even as differences remain over the political demand for the Education Minister's resignation.

CJP Claims Centre Positive On Two Key Demands

Speaking after the meeting, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das claimed the government had agreed in principle to two of the organisation's three principal demands.

"Out of all our demands, the government has agreed on two demands: the withdrawal of FIRs and compensation," Das said.

According to Das, the Centre has assured the delegation that discussions will continue on Saturday.

"We are assured that the next meeting will happen tomorrow. Further conversations will happen on a neutral ground," he added.

Three Core Demands Before The Centre

The CJP said it had placed three key demands before the government:

• Immediate resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers.
• Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly lost their lives in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy.
• Withdrawal of all FIRs registered against protesters, along with a guarantee that such cases would not be used for future action against them.

While claiming progress on the compensation and FIR demands, Das stressed that the Education Minister's resignation remained the organisation's central demand.

"Dharmendra Pradhan should resign or be removed from the Council of Ministers. It is our non-negotiable demand," he said.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the agitation would escalate if the government failed to act on the demand for Pradhan's resignation.

"If Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will give a nationwide call for protest. This call will be far bigger and more widespread than the July 20 protest."

Talks Continue Amid Centre's Anti-Paper Leak Push

The meeting comes at a crucial time, with PM Narendra Modi announcing that the government will strengthen the legal framework to protect the integrity of public examinations. The Centre is set to introduce stricter provisions under the anti-paper leak law, significantly enhancing punishments for those involved in question paper leaks and organised exam fraud.

The Centre has maintained that it is committed to protecting the integrity of public examinations while engaging with stakeholders on examination reforms.

With another round of talks scheduled for 3:30 PM on Saturday, attention will now be on whether the Centre and the CJP can bridge the remaining gap over the politically sensitive demand for the Education Minister's resignation, even as discussions appear to have progressed on compensation and withdrawal of cases against protesters.