Campus Times | Lucknow 

The nationwide protest over the alleged NEET paper leak is set to enter a crucial stage as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepares to hold formal talks with the Central government at the Constitution Club of India on Friday, July 24. Despite the breakthrough in initiating dialogue, the organisation has made it clear that its sit in protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down.

According to CJP leaders, the government accepted their request to shift discussions to a neutral venue, describing the move as a positive step toward meaningful engagement. Party representatives said the Constitution Club was mutually agreed upon as the location for the first round of talks.

The protest, which began over allegations of irregularities in the NEET examination process, has evolved into a broader campaign demanding greater accountability in the countrys education system. Along with seeking the resignation of the Education Minister, the organisation has called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen transparency and fairness in competitive examinations.

Reacting to the Centres announcement that a stringent anti paper leak bill would be introduced in Parliament, CJP leaders argued that legislative reforms alone would not restore public confidence. They maintained that fixing accountability at the highest level, including the resignation of the Education Minister, remains central to their demands.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day indefinite hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Union government regarding his concerns. His fast concluded after Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him late on Thursday night at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

Welcoming Wangchuk decision, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the movement had now expanded beyond Delhi, with demonstrations taking place in several states. He asserted that the youth led campaign would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, adding that the protest has gathered unprecedented public support.

Dipke also demanded that all criminal cases registered against protesters who participated in the Parliament March on July 20 be withdrawn, alleging that peaceful demonstrators should not face legal action for raising concerns over examination irregularities.

With negotiations scheduled to begin at the Constitution Club, attention will now be on whether the talks can pave the way for a resolution or whether the ongoing protests will intensify further in the coming days.