• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. The CJP protesters are demanding that the talks with the government be held at a neutral venue.
  2. Union Minister JP Nadda has invited the student protesters to his office or residence for talks.
  3. The CJP delegation met Nadda on Monday at his residence and decided that they will now not go to any place for talks.

CJP Protest: Days after meeting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leadership on Monday, Union Minister JP Nadda again invited the CJP delegation on Thursday for talks. However, the request was reportedly turned down by the protesters as they continue to press on their demand to hold talks at a neutral venue. This is the second consecutive day when JP Nadda has reportedly invited the CJP leadership for talks at his residence.

"An invitation was sent to the CJP by JP Nadda for talks today, but those sitting on the stage at the protest site turned down the invitation," news agency PTI quoted a source as saying. A similar request was sent on Wednesday, but was rejected by protesters, saying that the "people's court is here at Jantar Mantar" and "ministers should come among the people for talks."

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"We refused to go to anyone's house or office. The people's court is here. Ministers should come among the people. If they want to talk, it should be held at the Jantar Mantar," CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said. He, however, said the CJP remains open to dialogue and is willing to consider a neutral venue near the protest site if there are security concerns.

After meeting Nadda on Monday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that 2-member delegation (Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das) was forced to sit for hours at Nadda's residence before the meet began. "We came to Nadda ji's residence at around 12 o'clock. We met him at around 2:15 pm. We placed 3 demands before him," Ranka said after the meet on Monday.

JP Nadda, who has been assigned the task of coordinating with the CJP protesters, termed the meeting cordial and said that he assured the students about considering their demands. "The discussion took place in a very cordial atmosphere. We listened to their views very calmly. I also told them that it would be better if they submitted their points in writing. They have put all those points in writing. I also told them that we are ready for a discussion. Whenever they ask, we are prepared to discuss the matter," JP Nadda said.

PM Modi Breaks Silence On NEET Paper Leak

Almost a month after the CJP protest began at Jantar Mantar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday finally spoke up on the paper leak issue and said that the government has directed to set up fast track courts "to ensure stringest punishment for the culprits of paper leak." However, the prime minister didn't mention the police brutality on students on Monday and also kept mum on the protesters' demand seeking Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," PM Modi wrote on X.

'Insufficient, Didn't Address Accountability,' says CJP on PM Modi's Post

Reacting to the PM's tweet, the CJP said that while the PM's response is welcomed, it did not address the issue of accountability. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared an image of Pradhan carrying the caption, "Hi, my name is nothing", while the CJP posted, "Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign."

On PM's response, CJP National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, "The first thing is that it is good that after one-and-a-half months of protests, the prime minister has finally taken notice. Perhaps his foreign visits are over and he has returned to India, which is a good thing."

"But what punishment are you imposing after the paper leak has already taken place? That is not going to solve the problem of paper leaks. The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. That question must be answered," he said.

"Applying ointment after an injury is one thing, but the real fight is about preventing the injury from happening in the first place. The injury keeps happening because the people running the system are neither accountable nor competent. Therefore, these measures are not sufficient by any means," he added.

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The CJP-led agitation began on June 20 and is demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Pradhan. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, has offered to end his fast if the Centre assures that no punitive action or FIRs are initiated against peaceful protesters.


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