Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the CJP delegation raised three main demands and five suggestions for reforms in the examination process, while the party said it remained firm on its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
JP Nadda told reporters, “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, JP Nadda and Union minister Jitendra Singh met CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka at Vithal Patel House in New Delhi. The meeting took place amid continuing protests over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations.
According to the CJP, the government sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond to its principal demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The party also raised concerns over the alleged detention of protesters by Delhi Police during the meeting.
Saurav Das said, “Another issue we raised was that the Delhi Police has been detaining a large number of young men and women since last night, throughout the day, and even today. Those being detained include people leaving Jantar Mantar to return home, those heading towards the protest site, and even those delivering food.”
“The police are selectively detaining young people and are also pushing and manhandling lawyers. We informed the government that this should not happen because it only deepens the trust deficit. The government’s initial response was that no such incidents were taking place. However, it assured us that if such incidents are occurring, they would not be allowed to continue, and that the Delhi Police would be instructed accordingly,” he added further.
Ashutosh Ranka said the party had reiterated its stand that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was non-negotiable.
He said, “Regarding the main demand for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the issue was discussed in detail with the government delegation. We conveyed in very clear terms that nothing short of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation or his removal from the Union Cabinet would be acceptable. Across the country, protests are taking place in different places. There is widespread anger and resentment among the youth, and the sentiment is very clear. Dharmendra Pradhan has to resign, and he needs to be sacked. The government has sought time till tomorrow afternoon to respond on this demand.”
The latest round of talks came after social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving an assurance from the Union government on the NEET examination issue and broader reforms to the country’s competitive examination system.
Wangchuk ended his fast in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital.