CJP and Centre Hold Talks Over NEET Leak, Resignation Demand Remains

New Delhi: The Competitive Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading protests over the NEET paper leak, held a second round of talks with the central government on Friday. The meeting took place at the Constitution Club of India, a neutral venue as demanded by the CJP, after the government initially proposed Union Minister JP Nadda's residence.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated that nothing short of the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would satisfy the protesters. “If the government wants a solution to the protest, it is only the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan,” Dipke said. He also rejected the possibility of calling off the protest even if activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike on Thursday night after government assurances, asked him to do so. “This movement no longer belongs solely to Abhijeet Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk; it has become a movement of the youth across the entire nation,” Dipke stated.

The talks come after the government's recent actions to address the issue. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that fast-track courts would be set up to punish those involved in paper leaks, though he did not mention Minister Pradhan. In a social media post, Modi said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.” Later that night, he announced that a bill containing strong provisions against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week. The government also shifted Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and appointed new officials to top positions in school and higher education departments.

CJP spokesman Ashutosh Ranka, who was part of the talks, expressed cautious optimism. “A discussion has been called. We are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that the meeting should be held at a neutral venue,” he told reporters. However, he added, “I hope the government comes with an open mind and listens to the people.” Ranka also criticized the announcement of fast-track courts, saying, “This country has seen many announcements of fast-track courts, but this is not the solution to the systemic issues in the education system.”

The first round of talks between the CJP and the government took place on July 20 at JP Nadda's residence. CJP leaders later alleged they were kept under “virtual detention” during that meeting, which led to their insistence on a neutral venue for subsequent discussions.

The NEET paper leak and alleged irregularities in CBSE board exam evaluations have sparked widespread protests, with opposition parties also demanding Minister Pradhan's resignation. The CJP has been spearheading the student protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.