CJP protest intensifies as Centre, party set for another round of talks

The CJP-led protest over the alleged NEET paper leak entered a crucial day on Saturday, with protesters continuing their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, security intensified across central Delhi and the Centre preparing for third round of negotiations with party representatives amid a deadlock over Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

After talks with CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on Friday, union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh sought more time to deliberate on the protesters’ key demand for Pradhan’s resignation.

While the Centre has indicated its “in-principle” acceptance of two demands including protection from legal action for peaceful protesters and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide but the principal demand for Pradhan’s resignation remains unresolved, CJP spokespersons told reporters.

Meanwhile, the closure of select metro stations in and around central Delhi continued for the fifth day. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) late Friday night announced the shutdown of 18 metro stations from 7:30 am until further orders, while also curtailing services on the Airport Express Line. Interchange facilities, however, remain operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.

A heavy deployment of Delhi Police, CRPF and other security forces was visible around Jantar Mantar, with additional CRPF companies brought into Delhi. Twenty companies have already been called in from West Bengal, while 10 more are expected from Chhattisgarh. Leave for CISF personnel deployed in the Metro has also been restricted.

Despite activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night, the protest site remained packed. Long queues of supporters, students, lawyers, farmer groups and civil society organisations continued to arrive, underscoring that the agitation has outgrown its original leadership.

Addressing supporters from the stage, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke declared that Wangchuk’s fast may have ended, but the movement would continue until Pradhan resigned. The party maintained that the protest had transformed into a nationwide youth movement demanding accountability over examination irregularities.

According to Nadda, the delegation presented three principal demands and five suggestions for examination reforms, with the government promising to respond after internal consultations.

CJP leaders, however, made it clear they expect a categorical answer on Pradhan’s future. Ranka said there was “no scope for further deliberation” on the resignation demand and that the government should clearly state whether it intended to seek the minister’s resignation.

Sonam Wangchuk sought to dispel allegations that he had struck a deal with the government by ending his fast. In a video message posted on X on Friday night, the activist said he had accepted food only after receiving written assurances from the Centre and because he feared an imminent crackdown on protesters, similar to what unfolded in Ladakh last year. He said his priority during the negotiations was to ensure that peaceful demonstrators would not face criminal charges.

He also defended his decision not to insist immediately on Pradhan’s resignation during the negotiations, saying preventing violence and protecting students took precedence. Wangchuk added that he believed Pradhan would eventually resign.

Friday also witnessed a shift in the Centre’s response. The union Cabinet approved amendments to the anti-paper leak law, with Parliament expected to take up the legislation on Monday. The government announced fast-track courts for paper leak cases, constituted a Special Task Force under the Delhi Police Crime Branch to investigate examination-related offences, and initiated a sweeping overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), including the termination of 47 officials.

Despite these measures, the CJP did not budge from its demand for the Education Minister’s resignation.

The political battle outside the negotiating room also intensified. Congress announced fresh protests and candlelight marches across the country, while Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using pellet guns against student protesters, displaying injuries allegedly suffered by one participant. Separately, the Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions on Monday alleging excessive police action during the protests.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police spent much of Friday countering misinformation circulating online, denying claims of a policewoman’s death during the protests and clarifying that no blanket ban had been imposed on food delivery services in central Delhi.

With negotiations entering a critical stage, unprecedented security arrangements in place, and protesters refusing to dilute their central demand, Saturday could determine whether the month-long agitation moves toward a political resolution or enters a more confrontational phase.