Guwahati: The deadlock over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak protests continued on Wednesday as Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist and protest leader Saurav Das rejected the government’s invitation for talks at BJP president JP Nadda’s residence, insisting that any dialogue should instead be held at Jantar Mantar or another neutral location nearby.
Speaking to reporters, Das said the protesters had unanimously declined the invitation, arguing that government representatives should come to the protest site and engage directly with those participating in the agitation.
“The people’s court is here. Ministers should come among the people,” he said.
Acknowledging possible security concerns, Das said the protesters had suggested holding discussions at a neutral venue close to Jantar Mantar if ministers were unable to visit the demonstration site. However, he said the government had not yet responded to the proposal.
Das made it clear that the protesters would participate in talks only if the government showed a sincere commitment to resolving their grievances.
“We don’t have time for meaningless discussions. Thousands of people are still here, and we have to continue managing the protest,” he said.
Reiterating the movement’s core demands, Das called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid the NEET paper leak controversy, and the withdrawal of all FIRs filed against peaceful protesters.
He also demanded a “sovereign guarantee” from the government that no fresh cases would be registered against demonstrators participating peacefully in the ongoing agitation.
Responding to reports of stone-pelting during the protests, Das appealed to participants to maintain peace and discipline, saying any violence would undermine the movement’s objectives.
“There is no place for violence in a democracy, and there is no place for violence in this protest either,” he said, urging demonstrators to avoid confrontations with the police or acts of vandalism.
Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Das said the movement would continue through peaceful means.
“This is Gandhi’s land. We will move forward and succeed by following Gandhian principles,” he said.
Das also urged the police to release official details on the number of people detained during the protests, where they were being held, and how many remained in custody.
“We don’t want to rely on rough estimates. We want accurate information,” he said, adding that the protesters had formally sought the data from the authorities.