NEET Row: Fresh Govt-CJP talks tomorrow as Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains main demand

Government to Resume NEET Dialogue with CJP Following Internal Review

Theindiapostdaily.com – Union Minister JP Nadda confirmed that officials will convene once more with Cockroach Janta Party delegates this weekend. The upcoming session follows comprehensive internal deliberations concerning matters discussed during Friday’s encounter. Nadda alongside fellow Union Minister Jitendra Singh engaged with CJP representatives at a Central Delhi location on Friday. This gathering marked the second occasion of direct talks between the parties.

According to the Minister, the party presented three principal demands accompanied by five proposals aimed at examination reform. Speaking to journalists after concluding discussions, Nadda noted that proceedings lasted nearly two hours. He explained that they informed the delegation about upcoming government consultations and promised to share outcomes by Saturday afternoon.

Key Demands Remain Central to Negotiations

CJP’s national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated following today’s discussions that authorities requested additional time until Saturday afternoon regarding their call for Dharmendra Pradhan’s departure from his ministerial position. Ranka expressed optimism that the Education Minister would step down promptly. Additionally, he highlighted that the government provided preliminary approval concerning two specific requests: financial compensation for families whose children committed suicide during NEET preparations, and the withdrawal of filed FIRs and legal proceedings against students.

Despite accepting certain conditions, the CJP continues to emphasize that Pradhan’s resignation stands as their foremost requirement. The party had consented to engage in dialogue only after officials reportedly agreed to two prerequisites: ensuring peaceful demonstrators face no legal consequences and guaranteeing sufficient monetary support for families impacted by recent examination irregularities.

Broader Context and Government Response

This development follows social activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to conclude his twenty-six-day fast after obtaining written commitments from the Union government addressing both the NEET examination concerns and broader competitive testing reforms nationwide.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a video message on his X platform late Thursday evening, describing the examination paper leak as “not a trivial matter” and characterizing it as “extremely painful” for countless students and their families. He confirmed that those responsible have been apprehended and emphasized that his administration is advancing initiatives for expedited judicial processes alongside harsher penalties.

Modi further indicated that additional stringent measures targeting examination fraud would be announced during Friday’s Cabinet session. He also revealed plans for legislation designed to combat paper leaks more effectively, noting that a proposed Bill establishing specialized courts and severe punishments would undergo Cabinet review before being presented in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

While the Prime Minister previously mentioned that the legislative proposal would receive Cabinet consideration, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw failed to make any corresponding announcement during the standard Friday afternoon briefing.

“The meeting went on for almost two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had among the Government.”

“The government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. We hope the government will remove him soon. The government has expressed in-principle approval on the two demands of compensation (for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide) and withdrawal of FIRs, legal cases on students.”

“More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet.”

“Modi also said the Centre is preparing a new law to crack down on examination paper leaks, announcing that a draft Bill providing for fast-track courts and stringent punishment will be taken up by the Union Cabinet on Friday before being introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.”