Centre seeks time on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as CJP holds talks with Union Ministers over NEET row

The Centre on July 24 sought time until the afternoon of July 25 to respond to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following a meeting between CJP representatives and Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh over the NEET examination controversy.

 

The meeting, held at Vithal Patel House in New Delhi, was attended by CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka. The dialogue came after the government reportedly accepted two of the party's key conditions that no legal action would be taken against peaceful student protesters and that compensation would be provided to the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.

 

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ashutosh Ranka said the government had requested time until Saturday afternoon to consider the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

 

"The government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. We hope the government will remove him soon. The government has expressed in-principle approval on our demands for compensation to families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against students," Ranka said.

 

Despite the progress in discussions, the CJP maintained that the resignation of the Union Education Minister remains its principal demand.

 

The meeting followed social activist Sonam Wangchuk's decision to end his 26-day hunger strike after receiving a written assurance from the Union Government on addressing concerns related to the NEET examination and reforms in the country's competitive examination system.

 

Wangchuk ended his fast at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. In a video message, he said he had insisted on written guarantees before calling off the protest, leading to a two-day delay in ending his hunger strike.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft Bill providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment in paper leak cases. He said directions had already been issued to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift justice.

 

Calling paper leaks a serious issue affecting lakhs of students and their families, the Prime Minister said several accused have already been arrested and reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting students' interests while strengthening the examination system.