The Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held another round of discussions on Friday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak, even as student protests continued across the country.
The meeting, held at the Constitution Club of India after the government accepted the CJP’s demand for a neutral venue, was attended by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh on behalf of the Centre. CJP was represented by national spokesperson Saurav Das and another party representative. It marked the third official round of talks between the two sides.
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Despite the dialogue, CJP leaders maintained that the protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. Founder Abhijeet Dipke said the “strictest action” against examination irregularities would be the minister’s removal and demanded that all cases registered against protesters be withdrawn.
The talks come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would introduce legislation providing stringent punishment for paper leaks and establish fast-track courts to handle such cases. While activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following government assurances, the CJP said its agitation would continue.
Meanwhile, protests spread beyond Delhi, with nearly 500 students marching through Hyderabad demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities. Security remained tight in the national capital, with several Delhi Metro stations closed and police deployment increased around Jantar Mantar.
Separately, the Central Reserve Police Force said it was verifying media reports regarding the alleged use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force during the July 20 Parliament march. The issue has also reached the Delhi High Court, which agreed to hear a petition challenging the suspension of internet services around the protest site.
