CJP calls off protest ‘in good faith’ following Dharmendra Pradhan’s exit

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday called off its 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar “in good faith” after a round of talks with the government, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said at a joint press conference with a government delegation at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The press conference included CJP spokespersons Das and Ashutosh Ranka, Union minister JP Nadda, and minister of state Jitendra Singh.

The announcement came shortly after education minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter shared on X, Pradhan said he was “saddened by the sequence of events” of the last ten days and that his decision was taken “in interest of the unity of the country”.

“Our first demand of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation has been met,” said Das. Reacting to the resignation, the CJP posted on social media: “Cockroaches won, Democracy won.”

Ranka said the government had accepted all the movement’s demands after over a month of protest. “We urge everyone to peacefully withdraw from protest sites,” he said.

Five-point charter discussed

Nadda said the talks had covered the CJP’s full charter of demands in detail. “They had a five-point charter. We discussed this in detail,” he said.

No action against protesters

Das, meanwhile, said: “All FIRs filed against protesters all over the country will be withdrawn; the government has assured us.” 

“CJP has sought assurance from the government that no case will be registered against protesters or organisers in future as well. The government said it will get back on this on Tuesday in writing,” he added.

Compensation for NEET suicide victims

On the CJP’s demand for Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after the NEET-UG paper leak, Ranka said the government had agreed to a payout, though without confirming the amount. “[The] Government has agreed to give an honorary compensation to the [the] kin of students who ended their lives,” he said.

Nadda struck an even more cautious note on the figure itself. “The government’s sympathies are with the families of those who died by suicide. Honorary compensation will be based on rules,” he said, without specifying a timeline or final sum.

Next round of talks in four weeks

“The fourth round of talks on education and examination reforms will be held in 4 weeks,” Nadda said. The CJP delegation confirmed the same timeline for a broader review of progress on its remaining demands.

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