The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on late Thursday night announced that the government has agreed to hold talks with them on a neutral venue, amid their
protest demanding the sacking of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue of NEET-UG paper leak and alleged irregularities in the education system. The development came soon after activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he was ending his 26-day long hunger strike, with similar demands as that of the Cockroach party, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. According to CJP, the government has agreed to their request to hold talks at a neutral venue today and reiterated to push forward their demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the core demands of the students. The discussions will take place at the Constitution Club of India. Cockroach party spokesperson Saurav Das told reporters that a discussion has been called for and welcomed the government's decision to hold it at a neutral venue.
"Tomorrow, a discussion has been called for, we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen," Das said.
On activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his hunger strike, Saurav Das said, ''We were not aware of it because we are here at Jantar Mantar. As you know, the internet connectivity is poor and the jammers are still working, so there was no proper signal. We only came to know after reading the report. It is actually great news. We had written to him yesterday, appealing to him to end his fast, as it had completed 25 days. Today marks the 26th day..."
Of No Use, Saurav Das on PM Modi Assuring Setting Up of Fast Track Courts
Reacting to PM Modi's tweet on setting up fast-track courts to ensure stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks, Das said, "Such announcements are of no use. These are merely attempts to mislead people. We want accountability and responsibility. We will not discuss this matter with anyone below the level of the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan".
Another CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur said, "The government has agreed to meet us at a neutral place. We will be putting our demands, which we have been consistent with from the first day. The four demands: Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Second is compensation for the families... All the FIRs on innocent protesters should be gone."
Abhijeet Dipke On Sonam Wangchuk Ending Hunger Strike
Earlier on Thursday night, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said Sonam Wangchuk's life was "far too precious to this country" after he ended his 26-day hunger strike and hailed his extraordinary courage and sacrifice.
He noted that Sonam Wangchuk "put his own life in danger" for "awakening the conscience of an entire nation."
In a post on X, Dipke said, "We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. 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. Your life is far too precious to this country."
Cockroach Party Protest To Continue, Says Dipke
Dipke further said, "The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns."
In a post on X, Wangchuk said that the step has been taken after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that the development reaffirms trust in the Modi government.
"A short while ago, Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast... It is clear that this decision demonstrates trust in the Modi government... The breaking of his fast also puts a strong stamp of approval on the tough steps the Modi government is taking... PM Modi has made a video. He said that we enacted strict laws against paper leaks in 2024, but in this session, we are introducing a bill to enact even stricter laws. Sonam Wangchuk's subsequent breaking of the fast confirms the Modi government's sensitivity, student well-being, and accountability..."
The late night developments unfolded after Cockroach Janata Party's called for nationwide peaceful protests to be held on July 24 (today), demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.
With inputs from ANI
