Shillong: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will remain in the Cabinet. Top government officials confirmed that he faces no risk of losing his job over the NEET paper leak. A senior functionary stated: “There is no question of resignation by the education minister. That question does not arise at all. You can’t blame the minister for the NEET paper leak as he was not personally involved.”
Protesters at Jantar Mantar continue to demand his removal. The Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, also wants one crore rupees in compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the exam scandal. They demand that police withdraw all FIRs against peaceful demonstrators. The CJP founder, Abhijeet Dipke, reported that authorities suspended internet services near the protest site.
Minister of State Jitendra Singh claimed the government offered four proposals for dialogue within twenty-four hours. He described the CJP as unresponsive. He suggested meeting at J.P. Nadda’s office or home. However, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das rejected these locations. He insisted that ministers come to the people at Jantar Mantar or a neutral site nearby.
The government is ready to discuss the issues in Parliament for several days. They also promised to establish fast-track courts to punish those responsible for paper leaks. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi backed the students, calling their demands legitimate. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh countered by accusing the opposition of using students as a political tool. Activist Sonam Wangchuk remains at Medanta Hospital on a hunger strike, now in its 26th day. He will end his fast only if the government provides a guarantee against punitive action toward protesters. Demonstrations have since spread to cities including Mumbai, Goa, and Jaipur.
Comments