CJP leaders said the government had responded positively to demands for compensation to affected families and withdrawal of cases against peaceful student protesters, but maintained that Pradhan’s resignation remains “non-negotiable.”
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi: The Centre on Friday sought more time to decide on the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, even as the youth-led organisation claimed the government had responded positively to some of its other key demands during a second round of talks.
A CJP delegation met senior Union ministers, including BJP president and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, at the Constitution Club in New Delhi as both sides attempted to break the deadlock over the nationwide agitation against alleged examination paper leaks.
Addressing the media after the meeting, CJP spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das said the Centre had, in principle, agreed to consider providing compensation to families affected by the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and withdrawing FIRs and other criminal cases registered against peaceful student protesters.
However, the government sought time until Saturday afternoon to take a call on the CJP’s principal demand—the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“The meeting went on for almost 2 hours. They had 3 main demands and 5 reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had among the Government,” JP Nadda said after the meeting.
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Calling the issue “non-negotiable,” CJP leaders said the protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until a decision is taken on the minister’s future. They also announced plans to intensify the agitation through nationwide protests if their demands remain unmet.
The CJP has emerged as the face of the nationwide movement against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly NEET-UG 2026. Besides seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the organisation has demanded comprehensive examination reforms, compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid the controversy, and withdrawal of legal action against protesters.
The Centre has announced measures including tougher anti-paper leak laws, fast-track courts and stricter penalties for those involved in examination fraud. However, the CJP maintains that institutional reforms must be accompanied by political accountability.
The government’s response on Dharmendra Pradhan’s future is expected on Saturday, with both sides indicating that further negotiations may depend on the outcome.
