The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reiterated that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains its primary and non-negotiable demand ahead of the third round of talks with the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak. The latest negotiations are expected to take place on Saturday after two rounds of discussions between government representatives and CJP leaders failed to resolve differences over ministerial accountability, despite progress on several other demands.

Ahead of the meeting, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said there was little purpose in continuing negotiations if the government was unwilling to consider the minister's resignation. In a post on X, he stated that Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was "non-negotiable" and that further discussions would be meaningless if the Centre maintained its current position. The statement signalled a tougher stance from the protest group before the next phase of dialogue.

The CJP has placed three principal demands before the government: the resignation of the Union Education Minister, an assurance that no legal action will be taken against protesting students, and compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak. During the second round of talks on Friday, the Centre agreed in principle to consider the demands relating to legal protection for protesters and compensation, but no agreement was reached on the minister's resignation.

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Following Friday's meeting, Union Minister J.P. Nadda said the discussions lasted nearly two hours and covered both the protesters' key demands and several proposals for examination reforms. He said the government would hold internal consultations before responding during the third round of talks. Government sources, however, indicated that Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was not under consideration, maintaining that the Centre continued to support the minister.

In recent days, the government has announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening the examination system. These include the establishment of fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases, proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to introduce stricter penalties, replacement of the Education Secretary, dismissal of 47 officials associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA), and a commitment to undertake comprehensive reforms of the examination process.

Despite these announcements, the CJP has maintained that administrative action alone is insufficient and has continued to press for ministerial accountability. As both sides prepare for another round of negotiations, the issue of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains the central point of disagreement, while discussions on examination reforms, legal safeguards for protesters and compensation continue to form part of the broader dialogue between the government and protest representatives.

Also Read: NEET Row: Government Holds Second Round of Talks, CJP Firm on Demand for Pradhan's Resignation