CJP digs in at Jantar Mantar for neutral talks; internet suspended around Sansad Marg
actor Dapkupar Nongrum displays a placard at Khyndai Lad in support of the ongoing protests
by the students at Jantar Mantar. (PTI/ST)
NEW DELHI, July 22:Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is facing demands for his resignation from protesters and the opposition over the NEET issue, is likely to remain in the Cabinet as the top hierarchy of the government is convinced that he cannot be blamed for the leak of the examination papers, a senior government functionary said.
“There is no question of resignation by the education minister. That question does not arise at all. You can’t blame the minister for the NEET paper leak as he was not personally involved,” the senior functionary said, citing the successful conduct of the re-test.
The government is, however, ready to favourably consider the demand for compensation for the families of those who committed suicide after the NEET paper leak. It is also prepared for a detailed discussion on the issue in Parliament.
“If needed, we are ready for discussions even for two days or three days — whatever time is required. But unrealistic demands of the opposition cannot be met,” the functionary said.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that internet services had been shut down around Jantar Mantar and questioned whether the government was preparing for another crackdown.
He also appealed to police and paramilitary personnel not to obey “illegal orders” to beat up innocent protesters.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday held a meeting with two representatives of the CJP, including spokesperson Saurav Das, to listen to their demands and promised to get back after discussing with senior government leaders.
Since then, a series of meetings have taken place involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nadda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Pradhan, among others.
Feelers have been sent to the CJP for another meeting.
However, Das told reporters on Wednesday that they are willing to meet Nadda again but at a “neutral venue” near Jantar Mantar and only if the government has an “intention” to accept the demands.
Students not terrorists
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday expressed full support for the protesting students, saying their demands, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, are fully legitimate and non-negotiable. He claimed the government and its leadership were in panic and were therefore targeting students and opposition leaders.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also said he did not care about the manner in which he was “dragged, punched and removed” from the protest site outside the Prime Minister’s residence on Tuesday, stressing that his “job is to express the will of India’s people” and “these are small costs”.
Protesting students are not terrorists and are simply asking for an education system that works and is fair, Gandhi said at a presser as he backed the demands for an apology to students from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and holding everyone responsible for the assault on students accountable.
He said that “sensible” police personnel feel that action against students is a crime against the future of the country.
Opp using students as political tool: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the ongoing students’ protest in Delhi and accused the opposition of attempting to use it as a “political tool” to fulfil its political interests.
“It is extremely unfortunate that some people are attempting to use the students and youth of our country as a political tool to fulfil their political interests,” Singh said in a post on X.
CJP firm on neutral venue, key demands
Addressing a press briefing at the protest site, Das said police informed the outfit that Nadda had invited them to his residence.
“We refused to go to anyone’s house or office. The people’s court is here. Ministers should come among the people. If they want to talk, the talks should be held at Jantar Mantar,” he said.
Das added that the movement was open to a neutral venue nearby if there were security concerns. “We are educated people. If there are security concerns at Jantar Mantar, we can meet at a neutral place nearby. We have always said we are ready for talks. It would be good if the issue is resolved through dialogue,” he said, stressing that the government’s intention must be to genuinely address the demands.
The CJP has demanded that Pradhan be immediately sacked, Rs 1 crore compensation given to the families of those who committed suicide after the NEET paper leak, all FIRs against peaceful protesters withdrawn, and a sovereign guarantee that no fresh FIRs or punitive action will be taken against any peaceful protester.
Sit-in continues amid Wangchuk’s fast
As part of the government’s outreach, Nadda visited Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and met protesters injured on July 20. Along with minister Jitendra Singh, he also visited activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday night.
He is currently at Medanta following a Delhi High Court order. On Wednesday, he said he would end his fast if the Centre assured that no punitive action or FIRs would be initiated against students and youth who participated in the protest and addressed the movement’s key demands.
As the sit-in at Jantar Mantar continued, CJP said the agitation had spread beyond Delhi, with demonstrations in several parts of the country, including Goa, Mumbai and Jaipur, describing it as an “organic” nationwide movement. (PTI)
