NEW DELHI, July 24: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday told the government that its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is non-negotiable and sought a public apology for the “brutal thrashing” of students during the July 20 protest. The third round of talks between CJP representatives and the Centre is scheduled for 3.30 pm on Saturday.
Meeting with Union ministers
CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held a nearly two-hour meeting with Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Vithalbhai Patel House. The discussions were aimed at finding an amicable solution to the ongoing protests over the NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities.
“We told the Union ministers that our demand for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is non-negotiable,” Das told reporters after the meeting. Nadda said the ministers had heard the demands and would get back to the CJP. “We will again meet on Saturday,” he added.
In a letter submitted to the government, the CJP stated that after extensive consultations with supporters across the country and protesters at Jantar Mantar, it had reached a clear consensus that three demands were non-negotiable: Pradhan’s resignation, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide after the May 3 cancellation of the test, and no legal action against protesters.
The organisation also demanded that the Government of India, the head of the Rapid Action Force and the Delhi Police Commissioner publicly apologise to the students who were “brutally thrashed” by security forces on July 20.
Friday’s meeting took place hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night following government assurances on his key demands. The CJP had earlier declined invitations to meet at a minister’s residence or office, insisting on a neutral venue.
Cabinet clears stricter anti-leak bill
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a midnight video message that a bill for stronger action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament, the Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The draft proposes a minimum of five years’ imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks, with a maximum of 10 years’ jail and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore in cases of organised leaks. It also mandates time-bound probes to be completed within three months and trial in fast-track courts.
The existing law provides for three to five years’ imprisonment for individuals and five to 10 years with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for organised crime.
Official sources said the entire Cabinet is standing behind Pradhan and the government is unlikely to agree to his resignation.
Reforms within the National Testing Agency are also being examined and are expected to be ironed out in a month or two. The amended bill is likely to come up in Parliament on Monday.
CJI dismisses media reports
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday dismissed as “reckless” media reports that he had denied an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the July 20 police action. He clarified that no petition had been filed and only a representation had been received. “Till morning 10 am, not a single page has been filed… How can I treat the representation as a writ petition?” the CJI said, adding that the media was “falsely reporting” the matter.
Over 2,500 with criminal records identified at Jantar Mantar: Police
More than 2,500 people with criminal backgrounds have been identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) deployed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar, police sources said on Friday.
The surveillance system, they said, is not meant for ordinary protesters, but to identify wanted criminals, absconders, history-sheeters and “Bad Characters” (BCs) who may try to infiltrate the protest and disturb law and order.
Four FRS units have been installed at key entry and exit points around the protest venue and are linked to the Delhi Police database. The system is being monitored in real time by police officers, enabling them to instantly verify the identity of any wanted criminal or habitual offender whose details already exist in police records. (Agencies)
