Open to talks with protesters, says govt interlocutor

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest over the NEET paper leak earlier this year entered Day 26 on Thursday. What began as a student campaign for accountability in competitive exam paper leaks has now grown into a political movement connecting to police action from July 20 “chalo sansad” march to till date, court intervention, hunger strikes, opposition support in and outside Parliament and Nadda’s response. Fresh clashes near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on the 3rd day of the protest on Wednesday, allegations of internet shutdowns, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s conditional offer to end his fast have further intensified the debate.The march began a month ago with the CJP accusing the government of failing to ensure fair NEET examinations following allegations of paper leaks. The party has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a transparent investigation into alleged examination irregularities, sweeping reforms in the education system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide because of the paper leak.Over the past month, the movement has grown beyond a student protest, attracting support from activists, farmer groups and opposition parties. Why is the protest still continuing at Jantar Mantar? After being prevented from marching to Parliament on July 20, protesters eventually shifted their agitation to Jantar Mantar, where they have continued a sit-in protest. The protest entered its fourth day on Thursday, but tensions flared once again on Wednesday evening. Yesterday, Delhi Police cracked down heavily on protesters outside Jantar Mantar. Internet was shut down. People brutally lathicharged. And yet, this is today morning at Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/wKOyuS21Ei — Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) July 23, 2026 According to Delhi Police, nearly 12000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar despite the venue having space for around 4000, causing crowds to spill over onto Tolstoy Marg and Parliament Street. Police said fresh clashes took place after a scuffle involving some protesters and a group of Nihangs. Tear gas shells were fired and lathicharge was carried out to disperse the crowd. Six police personnel, including two Assistant Commissioners of Police, were injured, according to officials says PTI. Meanwhile, CJP alleged that internet services around Jantar Mantar had been shut down on Wednesday and questioned whether authorities were preparing for another crackdown. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also appealed to police personnel not to use force against protesters and vowed that the agitation would continue until its demands are met. Internet service shutdown at Jantar Mantar. Govt planning another brutal crackdown? pic.twitter.com/GzT5bJuamA — Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 22, 2026 What has the Centre said about the protests? The Centre has maintained that it is willing to engage with the protesters while insisting that the issue should be discussed in Parliament rather than turned into a political confrontation. PM Narendra Modi said that fast-track courts will be set up to punish the guilty. Union Health Minister JP Nadda said the government had already held discussions with CJP and remained open to further talks whenever they sought them.Story continues below this ad Speaking about the interaction, Nadda said that, “The discussion took place in a very cordial atmosphere. We listened to their views very calmly. I also told them that it would be better if they submitted their points in writing. They have put all those points in writing. I also told them that we are ready for a discussion. Whenever they ask, we are prepared to discuss the matter. We had no meeting today,” he said. Nadda also said the government is ready for an intensive discussion on examination reforms in Parliament and would respond to Wangchuk’s second letter seeking assurances for protesting students. But the Centre has given no indication that it is considering the protesters’ demand for Union