Guwahati: The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday opened discussions with the Centre over the examination paper leak controversy but made it clear that its nationwide protests would continue.
Hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, two senior Union ministers met two CJP representatives in New Delhi to discuss the group’s demands.
With thousands of students continuing their agitation over the alleged examination paper leak scandal, the dialogue has fuelled hopes that the prolonged standoff could move towards a resolution.
At the end of the meeting, CJP leaders said the Centre had requested time until Saturday afternoon before giving its response to their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Earlier on Thursday, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had said the organisation would place its demands before the government in greater detail and expected a positive response.
The Centre, meanwhile, maintained that it was prepared to continue the dialogue for as long as required. A senior Union minister said the government was willing to engage without letting prestige come in the way of negotiations.
According to the CJP, the demonstrations will remain peaceful until all three of its demands are accepted. These include Pradhan’s resignation, a guarantee that protesters will not face criminal cases, and compensation of about USD 105,000 for the families of students who died by suicide following examination paper leaks and cancelled examinations.
The protests have become a major political issue for the Modi government. Opposition parties have also backed the protesters’ demands and disrupted the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began this week.
Separately, the Union Cabinet is scheduled to examine a draft law proposing stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
In a video message released on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Bill would be taken to Parliament after receiving Cabinet approval.
CJP leaders, however, argued that stricter legislation alone would not solve the problem, insisting that wider reforms to the examination system are needed to prevent future leaks.
Das said the protests would not be called off, adding that lasting change can only come through a movement driven from the grassroots.