The Centre held the third round of talks with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET-UG controversy. The protesting group has vowed to continue its agitation until all demands are met.
New Delhi: The Central government on Saturday held the third round of talks with a delegation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) as efforts continued to resolve the ongoing protests over the NEET-UG examination controversy. The meeting took place at the Constitution Club of India and was attended by Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
The latest round of discussions comes just hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister, saying he stepped down in the larger interest of students and the nation amid the controversy surrounding alleged examination irregularities.
Pradhan Says Resignation Aimed at Protecting Students’ Interests
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said the issue should not be allowed to divide the country or be exploited by anti-national elements. He stressed that the future of millions of students should remain protected and free from prolonged legal uncertainty.
The resignation follows weeks of nationwide protests demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities.
CJP Continues Protest Despite Minister’s Exit
While welcoming Pradhan’s resignation, the CJP clarified that its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until all of its demands are fulfilled.
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke described the resignation as a major victory for the movement and said the organisation would continue pressing for comprehensive reforms.
Among the key demands raised by the group are:
- Compensation of Rs 1 crore for families of students who allegedly died by suicide due to examination-related stress.
- Assurance that no legal action will be taken against student protesters.
- Action against police personnel accused of using excessive force during demonstrations.
- Strong institutional reforms to prevent future examination irregularities.
Sonam Wangchuk Calls It a ‘Victory of Democracy’
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been associated with the agitation, welcomed the resignation and called it a “victory of democracy, peace, and perseverance.”
In a post on X, Wangchuk congratulated the protesters and urged the government to move beyond accountability toward long-term examination reforms.
Centre Announces Major Examination Reforms
In his resignation letter, Pradhan also defended the government’s handling of the NEET-UG controversy, noting that the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after irregularities surfaced. He highlighted that the examination was cancelled and a re-test conducted for over two million candidates.
He further announced that beginning next year, NEET-UG will be conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode to improve transparency and strengthen the integrity of the examination system.
The Centre is also preparing to introduce a comprehensive anti-paper leak law, which is expected to include:
- Special Fast-Track Courts for examination-related cases.
- A dedicated Special Task Force (STF).
- Stricter penalties for those involved in examination malpractice.
- Enhanced monitoring and security mechanisms for competitive examinations.
The outcome of the latest talks is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the ongoing protests move toward a negotiated resolution.
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