CJP Keeps Pressure on Centre, Seeks Education Minister's Resignation

New Delhi, July 24, 2026 The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has intensified its campaign over the NEET paper leak issue, maintaining that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign or be removed from office. The second round of talks between the Centre and CJP ended with the government seeking time until Saturday afternoon to respond to the resignation demand. The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to address student concerns while discussions on examination reforms continue. The meeting at the Constitution Club of India was attended by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on behalf of the Centre, while CJP was represented by national spokesperson Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. After the discussions, Ashutosh Ranka said, "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." The CJP had earlier agreed to hold talks after the Centre reportedly accepted its conditions of not taking legal action against peaceful protesters and providing compensation to affected families. The nearly two-hour meeting focused on three key demands and five suggestions related to examination reforms. Speaking after the talks, JP Nadda said, "The meeting went on for almost 2 hours. They had 3 main demands and 5 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." Earlier in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated the party's stand, saying, "If the government wants a solution to the protest, it is only the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan." The party also recalled that after the previous round of talks on July 20, its representatives alleged they were kept under "virtual detention" and insisted that future meetings should take place at a neutral venue. The developments come as the Centre announces additional measures linked to the examination controversy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts." The government has also reshuffled senior officials in the Education Ministry, including transferring Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and appointing new officials in the school and higher education departments. With the Education Ministry continuing to face scrutiny over the NEET paper leak and alleged CBSE evaluation irregularities, both sides are expected to resume discussions on Saturday.