New Delhi: Representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party-led youth protest held a second meeting with the Narendra Modi government over the NEET paper leak
and demands for examination reforms.
CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka submitted a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh.
Nadda had also met the CJP representatives on July 20, when protesters marched towards Parliament and police allegedly used force to stop them. The latest meeting took place at the Constitution Club of India, which the CJP had proposed as a neutral venue.
CJP lists demands
In its letter, the CJP said, “This is with respect to the ongoing CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. We acknowledge the Government’s eagerness to find a mutually beneficial solution. Over the last few days, we have held extensive consultations with our supporters and members across the country, and with the protesters at Jantar Mantar. We have arrived at a clear consensus that our demands, namely the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, RE-exam re-conducting for NEET aspirants, and no legal action against protesters, are non-negotiable.”
The letter said the government, the Rapid Action Force chief and the Delhi Police Commissioner “ought to publicly apologize to the students who were brutally assaulted by state forces”.
It warned that the protest would expand nationwide if the demands were not accepted. The CJP also sought a response to its five-point charter on examination reforms.
Centre seeks more time
After the meeting, Ranka said, “Dharmendra Pradhan needs to resign or he needs to be sacked. We spoke to the government in detail about this. The government has sought time till tomorrow afternoon to respond to this demand.”
According to Ranka, the Centre accepted two demands in principle. These include compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and the withdrawal of legal action against student protesters.
Parliament debate likely
The government also signalled its readiness to discuss the NEET paper leak in Parliament in the format sought by the Opposition.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha that the government would accept the Opposition’s choice of date and format for debates in both Houses.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said parties could discuss the rule under which the debate would take place. The House was later adjourned.
The developments came on the 48th day of the CJP-led protest over the NEET-UG paper leak.
