New Delhi, July 24: Fresh talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak controversy ended without a breakthrough on Friday, with the protesting group maintaining its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan even as both sides agreed to continue discussions.
The nearly two-hour meeting was held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh represented the government, while CJP was represented by its spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Speaking after the meeting, J.P. Nadda said the discussions were conducted in a cordial atmosphere and focused on the concerns raised by the protesting group. He said CJP had placed three principal demands along with five suggestions relating to examination reforms.
According to Nadda, the government heard the grievances in detail and both sides agreed to meet again the following day to continue the dialogue.
The CJP, however, stated that it had not withdrawn its demand seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the government had sought time until the following afternoon on that demand.
Ranka said the government had agreed on two other issues raised by the organisation. According to him, these include compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide and the withdrawal of legal cases against students who participated in the protests.
Friday’s discussions marked the second round of formal talks between the Centre and the CJP following the nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak and demands for examination reforms.
The latest meeting came a day after Jitendra Singh appealed to the protesting group to resume dialogue, stating that the government’s doors remained open for discussions at any time and that the timing of the meeting could be decided by the protesters.
The renewed engagement also followed activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday after receiving assurances from the government regarding the issues raised by protesting students.
Although the latest discussions concluded without a final agreement, both sides indicated that negotiations would continue, with the unresolved demand regarding the Education Minister expected to remain central to the next round of talks.
