Even as activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, all eyes are on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to see whether it will continue its protests, which are drawing support from thousands of students and activists across the country.
The CJP delegation is set to meet Union ministers at 12:30 pm on Friday at the Constitution Club of India for discussions on the NEET-UG paper leak and reforms in the examination system.
Chief spokesperson of CJP, Saurav Das, said on Thursday that the government had agreed to hold discussions at a neutral venue.
Though Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday expressed relief after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, he made it clear that the party would continue with its protests till Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
"We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike...Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation," Dipke wrote on X.
Wangchuk had been on an indefinite strike over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the government's handling of the issue.
Ahead of today's meeting, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh said that the government does not stand on prestige and both him and Union Minister J.P. Nadda would be present during any dialogue.
"This is a standing invitation to all our youth friends that the government is ready for discussions on all issues at your convenience, at any time. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and I will be present for discussions. Slowly, by way of discussion, we will progress towards a solution," Singh told ANI.
Earlier this week, the Modi government held its first direct talks with CJP representatives, coming exactly a month after the party launched its indefinite sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held talks with JP Nadda on Monday, amid a tense showdown between protesters and police during the party's march toward Parliament.
The CJP submitted a memorandum outlining three key demands: the resignation of Pradhan, the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, and ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of deceased NEET aspirants.
In a video message released late last night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Union Cabinet will soon clear a draft Bill proposing fast-track courts and stringent punishments for those behind the alleged paper leak.
"I have issued directions to departments to set up fast-track courts," he said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has also joined the CJP protest and demanded the resignation of Pradhan.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the PM's initiative for fast-track courts as a "smokescreen" and alleged that it was an attempt to "befool India's youth."
He alleged that the CBI did not file a chargesheet against the main accused, Sanjiv Mukhiya, and instead submitted a closure report in the case.
