CJP withdraws protest as Centre accepts key demands after Dharmendra Pradhan quits

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday announced the immediate withdrawal of its nationwide agitation, saying the Centre had agreed to its key demands following talks with a government delegation. The move comes in the wake of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation earlier today.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference attended by Union minister J.P. Nadda, Minister of State Jitendra Singh, and CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

CJP's chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party was ending its protest "in good faith" after receiving assurances from the government.

"Cockroach Janta Party declares that we withdraw the agitation in good faith, with the understanding that the agreed-upon terms will be executed within the agreed-upon timelines," Das said.

According to Das, the Centre assured the delegation that all FIRs registered against protesters across the country during the agitation would be withdrawn.

"All FIRs filed against protesters all over the country will be withdrawn; the government has assured us," he said.

He added that the party had also sought a written assurance that no fresh cases would be filed against protesters or organisers in the future. "The government has said it will get back to us on this by Tuesday in writing," Das said.

Govt says demands considered sympathetically

Addressing the media after the meeting, Union minister J.P. Nadda said the government had held extensive discussions with the CJP delegation and had considered its demands sympathetically.

"We had a long conversation today. They submitted a written draft outlining four points related to the ongoing cases arising from the agitation. We also discussed their other demands, including that no retaliatory action should be taken and that compensation should be provided," Nadda said.

He said the government had agreed to provide copies of the FIRs and assured the delegation that no retaliatory action would be taken.

On the demand for compensation to families affected by the NEET-UG controversy, Nadda said the government recognised their concerns.

"The government has clearly stated that we also sympathise. Compensation will be provided in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations, and whatever maximum is possible will be extended," he said.

Nadda also said the government would examine the CJP's five-point charter seeking broader reforms in the education and examination system.

"We will think deeply about your charter for reforms in education examinations and, after further discussions with your delegation, we will try to do whatever we can," he said.

CJP calls off agitation

Following the meeting, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka appealed to protesters to end the demonstrations immediately.

"All our demands have been accepted, so we request the protesters to withdraw immediately and return home peacefully. We will inform you of our future strategy or any other issues, but for now we request everyone to end the agitation," he said.

Ranka said the party's demand for ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students affected by the NEET-UG controversy had also received a positive response from the government.

"We had demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of NEET victims. The government has agreed to this, stating that an honorary compensation will be given under the applicable rules and regulations," he said.

He added that the CJP had also submitted a five-point charter seeking structural reforms in the education and examination system. The party is expected to hold another round of discussions with the government in about four weeks to review progress on those proposals.

Earlier in the day, Uion education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid mounting protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. In a post on X, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the recent developments surrounding the examination as a source of "deep anguish".

The resignation came a day after the Union cabinet approved a draft Bill proposing stricter penalties for examination paper leaks, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 crore, as the government seeks to strengthen the legal framework against organised examination fraud.

(With inputs from agencies)