Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 23: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday rejected the government’s offer for talks over the NEET paper leak and said nothing less than the resignation of the union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan would be acceptable to them.
Addressing a press briefing at the protest site, Jantar Mantar, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the CJP was not prepared to go to any minister’s house or office for talks. If the government was serious for talks, it should come to Jantar Mantar or to a neutral venue like the Constitution Club of India (CCI) or any such place.
Claiming that the he had not received any message from the government for talks, Das said, “They should contact us directly and discuss where to meet, when to meet, and how long the discussion will continue.” He also criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that the government had directed for fast-track trial of the accused in the NEET paper leak case, and said nothing less than Mr Pradhan’s resignation would be accepted. “Such announcements are of no use. These are merely attempts to mislead people. We want accountability and responsibility. We will not discuss this matter with anyone below the level of the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,” he said.
He said the police informed them on Thursday morning that Union minister JP Nadda wanted to hold discussions and invited them to his residence. “We refused to go to anyone’s house or office. The people’s court is here. Ministers should come among the people. If they want to talk, the talks should be held at Jantar Mantar,” he said.
Das, however, said the CJP remained open to dialogue and was willing to consider a neutral venue near the protest site if there were security concerns. “We are educated people. If there are security concerns at Jantar Mantar, we can meet at a neutral place nearby. We have always said we are ready for talks. It would be good if the issue is resolved through dialogue,” he said.
“We will also seek a sovereign guarantee from the government that no fresh FIRs are filed or punitive action is taken against any peaceful protester associated with this movement,” he said.
Earlier, underlining that the government has sent four proposals for discussions since Wednesday, the Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday once again invited the CJP for talks and reiterated that the government was ready and extremely serious for discussions “any time” with the CJP in a big outreach to the student protesters at the Jantar Mantar.
Mr Singh recounted that four formal proposals have been sent to CJP representatives since last afternoon for talks. He said the government was ready for a discussion on all issues at their convenience, adding that talks can be held at Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s residence or at his office.
Singh said the government would “slowly, by way of discussion, will work towards for a solution. This is a part of the series of continuous steps taken by the govt for the welfare of the students. Humbly, I appeal to you all to come and have discussions,” the union minister said.
Highlighting about Mr Modi’s decision over fast track court for paper leak incidents, Singh said the PM was extremely ‘sensitive’ about such cases, adding that he gives high ‘highest priority and importance’ to issues related to the youth. Singh further said this decision was a part of government’s continuous steps to safeguard the interests of the students.
Announcing the government’s decision on setting up of fast rack courts, Mr Modi said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” Mr Modi said.
“Inspired by this, he took the decision that all those found guilty and responsible for paper leaks will be judged through fast-track courts so that a decision is reached quickly and decisive action is taken,” Mr Singh said. “Therefore, I once again appeal to you with great humility: come, sit down, discuss, and let us make an honest effort to find a solution to this situation.”
The Minister said he would be joined by his fellow Minister JP Nadda during the discussions.
“Discussions can take place either at JP Nadda’s office or residence. We do not stand on prestige. Union Health Minister JP Nadda and I will be present for discussions. Slowly, by way of discussion, we will progress towards a solution. This is a part of the series of continuous steps taken by the government for the welfare of the students. Humbly, I appeal to you all to come and have discussions,” Singh added.
Earlier in the day, Mr Modi announced setting up of fast-track courts to deliver swift justice and stringent punishment for those involved in the paper leaks. The present offer for talks comes days after tens of thousands of student protesters led by the CJP attempted to march on Parliament, demanding the resignation of Mr Pradhan over NEET paper leak.
The CJP founder leader Abhijeet Dipke had questioned the government’s design behind starting talks with his outfit, saying it was engaging in dialogue with CJP while simultaneously carrying out a police crackdown on protesters. Seventeen metro stations were temporarily shut during the day due to security reasons, leaving hundreds of office-goers, students and other commuters stranded for hours, forcing many to change routes midway, exit at unfamiliar stations and scramble for alternative transport during the morning rush. These were opened in the evening.
Mr Dipke also alleged that people were being sent from outside to deliberately disrupt the ongoing students’ protest, and accused the BJP workers of pelting stones and attempting to defame the protesters. Speaking to reporters, Dipke said the protest had been going on for a month without any such incident, but claimed that the situation changed after the protest gained momentum.
“People are being sent from outside to deliberately disrupt the protest. We have been sitting here for a month. No such incident has happened in a month. But now, as this protest has grown, goons are being sent from outside by the BJP to deliberately incite people,” he said. Dipke further alleged, “These are the people from the BJP who are pelting stones. The police bring trucks of stones here. BJP goons come, they pelt stones and then defame the people of CJP…”
He also said the police lathi-charge during the protest was “very brutal” and asserted that they would take the police officers involved to court. He also again requested the activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike. Dipke said the protest had entered its 34th day, while Wangchuk’s hunger strike was continuing for the 26th day.
“I have already spoken about the lathi charge. It was very brutal, and we will take the police officers who carried it out to court, and today is the 34th day of our protest. Sonam Sir’s hunger strike is continuing. Today is the 26th day of his hunger strike, so our protest will continue until our demands are met,” he said.
Saurav Das said he had spoken to Sonam Wangchuk several times during the day and that they agreed the protest should remain peaceful. “I spoke with Sonam Wangchuk several times today. The conclusion was that this protest should remain peaceful. He has also publicly appealed to all protesters to maintain peace and conduct this protest in the right manner. He has also publicly appealed to all protesters to maintain peace and conduct this protest in the right manner,” Das said.
He alleged, “.. In previous protests in this country, anti-social elements planted by the ruling regime infiltrate and derail the entire protest, then ultimately, those protesting peacefully are blamed, and this should not happen.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Friday a public interest litigation seeking a probe into the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar over examination irregularities. The counsel for the petitioner mentioned the PIL before a Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia and requested that the case be listed on Friday. “This is against the so-called student agitation. They have made the entire Delhi hostage. Roads have been blocked. Citizens of Delhi are suffering,” lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha submitted. “Alright. Tomorrow,” Chief Justice Upadhyaya said.