The government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) made no real progress in their third round of talks on Friday, with each side holding firm on its position. Protesting students insisted that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was non-negotiable, while the government pushed back, arguing that resignation is the easiest option to reach for and reaffirming its backing of the minister. Another round of talks has now been scheduled for Saturday.
In a letter to the government, the CJP laid out its position clearly, saying that after extensive consultations with supporters and protesters at Jantar Mantar, it had settled on three non-negotiable demands: Pradhan's resignation, compensation of Rs 1 crore for those affected by the NEET issue, and no legal action against protestors. The group also called for a public apology from the government, the head of the Rapid Action Force, and the Delhi Police Commissioner over the treatment of students during the protests.
Following the meeting, Union Minister JP Nadda said the discussion lasted nearly two hours and covered the CJP's three core demands along with five suggested reforms to the exam system, adding that the two sides would reconvene Saturday afternoon after internal government discussions. The CJP separately raised concerns during the talks about the alleged detention of students, volunteers, lawyers, and even people delivering food to the protest site by Delhi Police.
The talks took place hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday night, following government assurances on his own demands. The CJP has maintained throughout that it would only hold discussions at a neutral venue rather than a minister's residence or office, and has said its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Pradhan steps down.
