Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New Delhi, July 24: The deadlock over the nationwide protests against the alleged NEET question paper leak continued despite talks between the Central government and representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Following the meeting, the organisation issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning that if Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign within the stipulated time, it will launch a much larger nationwide agitation.

The CJP made it clear that its primary demand remains the resignation of the Education Minister and stated that protests would continue until the government accepts the demand. The organisation said the movement would be expanded across the country if no concrete action is taken within the next 24 hours.

On Friday, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh held discussions with a delegation of CJP leaders at the Constitution Club in New Delhi in an effort to resolve the ongoing standoff. However, the meeting ended without any breakthrough.

The meeting, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the government had been informed about the organisation's stand. He warned that if the Centre failed to accept the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation within the next 24 hours, the protest movement would intensify across the country. According to him, the organisation is committed to continuing peaceful demonstrations until its core demands are fulfilled.

The latest developments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message addressing the NEET paper leak controversy. In the nearly three-minute address on Thursday night, the Prime Minister assured the nation that the government would introduce a tougher legal framework to deal with examination paper leaks. He announced that a new Bill would soon be introduced in Parliament, providing for stricter punishment for offenders and the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in such cases.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike early on Friday morning at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Wangchuk decided to withdraw his fast after Union Ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh conveyed the government's assurances to him. Following the end of the hunger strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Wangchuk a speedy recovery through a social media post and urged him to follow medical advice and return to normal life.

CJP founder Abhijit Deep clarified that while the organisation welcomed Wangchuk's decision to end his fast, it would not compromise on its principal demand. He reiterated that the movement would continue peacefully until Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post. Wangchuk also appealed to protesters to maintain peace during demonstrations and cautioned that certain anti-social elements were attempting to provoke violence and divert the movement from its original objectives.

The ongoing agitation has also affected public transport in the national capital. In view of the protests, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to keep 18 metro stations in central Delhi closed on Friday. Several stations had already been shut in phases since Wednesday, while Jhandewalan Metro Station was closed on Thursday. On Friday, New Delhi Railway Station Metro was also added to the list of closed stations. Despite the restrictions, CJP announced nationwide protest programmes for Friday and confirmed that the peaceful sit-in demonstration at Jantar Mantar would continue.

The political confrontation over the NEET controversy has also intensified inside Parliament. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced on Friday that opposition parties would not participate in any discussion in the Lower House on the NEET paper leak issue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

Speaking after the Lok Sabha was adjourned, Rahul Gandhi alleged that although Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had stated that the government was ready for a discussion on the paper leak issue, the opposition was not being given an opportunity to present its views. He claimed that when he attempted to speak on the matter, his microphone was switched off and he was denied permission to address the House.

Rahul Gandhi further argued that parliamentary conventions require that whenever the name of a member or an individual is mentioned during proceedings, the concerned person should be given an opportunity to respond. He alleged that this established practice had not been followed. Reiterating the opposition's stand, Rahul said that no discussion on the NEET paper leak controversy would take place with opposition participation in the Lok Sabha unless Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister.

The government promising legal reforms, CJP escalating its agitation, Wangchuk ending his hunger strike, and the opposition refusing to participate in parliamentary discussions, the NEET paper leak controversy continues to dominate the national political landscape, showing no immediate signs of resolution.