CJP rejects JP Nadda’s invitation for dialogue at his residence, insisting that talks should take place directly at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral location nearby.
The stalemate over the NEET paper leak issue continued in Parliament on Wednesday, with the government expressing its willingness to hold a discussion while the Opposition insisted that it would participate only if the matter was taken up through an adjournment motion.
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is leading protests over the controversy, said it had declined an invitation to meet Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence, saying any talks should take place at or near Jantar Mantar.
Follow CJP’s live protest blog here
The opposition insists on the postponement proposal
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Opposition is not opposed to the discussion but wants it to be conducted under an adjournment motion so that the issue can be discussed in detail.
Read also | CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says he now has a fourth demand. Here’s what it is
“We demand the motion to adjourn so that this issue (NEET paper leak) can be discussed properly. If the government can allocate eight hours to discuss Vande Mataram, it can certainly allocate enough time for a detailed discussion on this issue through the motion to adjourn,” she told news agency PTI. “The government is always engaged in political games instead of addressing real concerns.”
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP KC Venugopal reiterated the party’s stand and demanded the resignation of the Education Minister.
Read also | A day after CJP protests, scars of chaos, broken windows and violence still appear in Delhi’s Connaught Place area
He added, “Our demand is very clear. The Minister of Education must resign.”
The government says it is ready to discuss
The government confirmed that it is ready to discuss this issue, provided that Parliament works normally.
Replying to the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Center has repeatedly expressed its willingness to discuss the matter.
Read also | Huge CJP protest: A detailed account of what happened on Monday
“We have shown from the government side for the last three days that we are ready to discuss on the NEET paper leakage issue. We have said this on the first day that discussions are being held as per some rules. My government is fully prepared to discuss the NEET paper leakage issue. The government wants to have a meaningful discussion on the future of the country’s youth,” he said.
Rajya Sabha leader and Union Minister JP Nadda also criticized the Opposition for disrupting Parliament, saying the government did not hesitate to discuss the paper leak and related issues.
“The behavior of the INDI alliance is very irresponsible. We can clearly see this anti-democratic behavior in Parliament. Parliamentary decorum is being torn apart and democratic values are being violated. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said very clearly now that the government is ready to discuss all issues. In addition, our government is also ready to discuss the leak of NEET papers and all matters related to it. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have transparency. It is a government that always rules in the interest of the people. So, we strongly condemn (the opposition’s) anti-people activities. They do not They believe in democracy or democratic values.
CJP declines invitation to JP Nadda’s residence
Even as the government indicated its willingness to hold talks, the AKP said it would not meet the ministers at their residences or offices.
The party’s chief spokesman Sourav Das said the police had informed the party that the JP Nadda Party wanted to talk to its representatives, but the invitation was rejected.
“This morning, the police contacted us again and informed us that Union Minister JP Nadda wanted to talk to us. They invited us to his residence, but we flatly refused. We are not going to anyone’s house or office. The Janata Darbar is being held here, and if the ministers want to talk, they should come to the people. The discussion should take place at Jantar Mantar. At the same time, we are rational people. If the government is concerned about security at the protest site, we are ready to meet at a neutral place near Jantar Mantar, we are still waiting for a response from them.”
Das said that the protesters do not want to engage in dialogue unless the government intends to seriously consider their demands.
“The government must have the intention to accept our demands. There is no point in inviting us into meaningless discussions. Our time is precious. Thousands of people are still participating in the protest, and we have to deal with that as well… The government must clarify whether it really intends to deal with us…”
The Sarwar Janta Party said on Wednesday that thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar, and its spokesman Sourav Das shared photos of the swelling crowd at the protest site. Speaking to news agency ANI, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed that “millions more will come” if the government does not agree to their demands. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the immediate deployment of 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Reserve Force in Delhi. CRPF companies are brought from West Bengal.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explanations that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
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