New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday told the government that its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable and asked for a public apology to the protesting students who were “brutally thrashed” on July 20.
In a meeting with Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, the CJP also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of those who committed suicide after the cancellation of the NEET test on May 3, its spokesperson Saurav Das said.
The two-hour meeting held at the Vithalbhai Patel House was aimed at finding an amicable solution to protests over the NEET paper leak and other irregularities in the exam system.
Nadda said the ministers heard their demands and conveyed that they will get back to the CJP. “We will again meet on Saturday,” he said.
The development comes hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night following government assurances on his key demands.
The CJP had earlier declined the government’s invitation to hold talks at a minister’s residence or office, insisting that discussions should take place at a neutral venue.
The last round of talks between the two sides took place on July 20, when CJP national spokespersons Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J P Nadda at his residence.
The two leaders later alleged that they were kept under “virtual detention” during the meeting and said they had subsequently insisted that any future discussions with the government be held only at a neutral venue.
The CJP has maintained that its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Pradhan resigns.
Besides seeking his resignation, the outfit has demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, and withdrawal of all FIRs and legal action against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement.
Thousands Join Students’ Protest in Mumbai
Thousands of protesters gathered in central Mumbai’s Dadar on Friday under the banner of Shiv Sena (UBT) to demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak, with party leader Aaditya Thackeray stating that he has urged CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke not to return to Maharashtra until the demand is met.
Mumbai Police faced a fresh onslaught of criticism after a video showing an official allegedly handling a woman activist inappropritely went viral. While police claimed that his action was being “misinterpreted”, the Opposition demanded his immediate suspension.
Holding tricolours and placards in their hands, thousands of students and activists gathered at the iconic Shivaji Park ground in Dadar area as part of a ‘Tiranga Morcha’ (procession) organised by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT).
Uddhav Thackeray said while the government has the power of ‘lathis’ (batons), the protesters have ‘tirangas’ (tricolours) in their hands.
Delhi Police Installs Facial Recognition System at Jantar Mantar
Four facial recognition system (FRS) units have been installed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar to identify wanted criminals, absconders and historysheeters, police sources said on Friday.
The surveillance system is not for ordinary protesters but is meant to identify those with criminal antecedents who may try to “infiltrate the protest” and disturb law and order, they said.
The FRS units have been positioned at key entry and exit points around the protest venue and are linked to the Delhi Police database.
Centre Airlifts 10 More CRPF Companies for Delhi
The Centre has directed the airlifting of 10 more CRPF companies from Chhattisgarh to deploy in Delhi to bolster security measures in view of the student protest underway, officials said on Friday.
About 100 such companies are already in Delhi assisting the local police with law and order duties, officials said.
Earlier this week, the Centre airlifted 20 CRPF companies from West Bengal to deploy in Delhi to oversee student protests being waged under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
