Amid the Parliament march by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), the Union Government has reportedly reached out to the team for talks. CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das will meet Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday.
"The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear," Saurav Das, CJP chief spokesperson, said in a post on X. Later, Ranka said the meeting with Nadda was underway, and Nadda sought time to consult the government leadership on the party's demands.
The CJP has reportedly put forth three demands, including the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide.
"Me and Saurav Das are still at Nadda ji's residence. Nadda ji has requested some time to align with their leadership with regards to our following demands: Immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Rs 1 crore compensation for all NEET aspirants who committed suicide," Ranka said in a post on X.
Though the CJP was earlier offered talks with the District Magistrate and the Secretary to the Union Government, and a Minister of State, the party rejected their offers, insisting on meeting either the Prime Minister or the Cabinet Minister.
Ranka said it was only late on Sunday night that DCP New Delhi reached out for opening a communication channel with the government. “There were more serious discussions only from today 6 am, and only around 11:45 am was there an alignment on meeting Nadda ji,” his post read.
Dharmendra Pradhan meets Amit Shah
Amid the protests, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday. The CJP has been protesting, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged examination irregularities.
Officials said Pradhan met Shah at his office in the Parliament House complex. There is no word yet on what transpired in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, thousands of students, activists, and professionals gathered at Jantar Mantar and around for a march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protesters, who have gathered under the banner of CJP, an online movement, have been seeking accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and recurring paper leaks. The police used baton charges and tear gas shells to scatter the protesters, many of whom breached the barricading erected across central Delhi.
