The political standoff over the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest against the alleged NEET paper leak continued on Thursday, with the Centre once again inviting protest leaders for talks while the CJP reiterated that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains a non-negotiable demand. The latest developments came as support for the student movement widened, with fresh statements from social activists, opposition leaders and BJP leaders.
According to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Centre has made repeated efforts to initiate dialogue with the protest leaders and remains open to discussions at any time and place.
Speaking to news agency, Singh said the government had formally sent proposals for talks four times since Wednesday afternoon and insisted that there was no question of prestige. He said discussions could take place either at Union Minister JP Nadda’s office or residence, adding that the government was ready to address every concern raised by the students and protest organisers.
Despite the renewed outreach, the CJP rejected the government’s latest proposal, signalling that the deadlock remains unresolved. The organisation maintained that any discussion without accountability at the highest level would not resolve the larger issues surrounding examination irregularities.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das reiterated that the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains the movement’s central demand and said there would be no compromise on that issue.
Meanwhile, CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke appealed directly to police and paramilitary personnel, urging them not to follow what he described as unlawful instructions against peaceful protesters. He asked security personnel not to use force against students participating in the movement.
The protest also received support from Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, who defended the students in a post on X. She said the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar had remained peaceful and urged people not to associate the movement with incidents of violence elsewhere in Delhi without evidence.
“As an educator, I find it deeply painful to watch the image of our students being tarnished on media. The students’ protest is taking place peacefully at Jantar Mantar… Our children deserve to be protected, not portrayed as villains. Their voices deserve to be heard, not drowned out by narratives that serve vested interests,” she wrote.
In Maharashtra, veteran social activist Anna Hazare observed a two-hour silent protest at Ahilyanagar in solidarity with the students. His aide confirmed that Hazare held the symbolic demonstration before returning to his village, Ralegan Siddhi.
The political debate over the issue also intensified. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced fast-track courts for paper leak cases but had not addressed the Opposition’s demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
BJP leaders, however, defended the Centre’s response. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement on fast-track courts, saying the government remained committed to protecting students’ future while accusing the Opposition of avoiding a meaningful debate in Parliament.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also backed the government’s action, stating that strict punishment would be ensured for those arrested in paper leak cases. He urged students to rely on merit and hard work rather than attributing failures solely to examination leaks.
Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan also commented on the controversy, calling for urgent reforms in India’s examination system. He said the country should have acted much earlier to address students’ concerns and criticised an education model where, according to him, coaching had replaced learning and anxiety had replaced curiosity.
Separately, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena extended the Delhi Police’s powers under the National Security Act (NSA) until October 18, a move that comes amid the continuing protests over alleged examination irregularities and recent demonstrations in the national capital.
Key Updates
- Centre says it has sent four formal proposals for talks to CJP leaders.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh says the government is ready for discussions anytime and anywhere.
- CJP rejects the latest offer and insists Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable.
- Abhijeet Dipke urges police and paramilitary personnel not to obey “illegal orders” against peaceful protesters.
- Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo says students deserve to be heard, not blamed.
- Anna Hazare stages a two-hour silent protest in support of students.
- Arvind Kejriwal questions the Centre over the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
- BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nishikant Dubey defend the government’s response and back fast-track courts.
- Kamal Haasan calls for urgent reforms in the examination system.
- Delhi Police’s preventive detention powers under the NSA extended until October 18 amid the ongoing protests.
