The Cockroach Janta Party hardened its position on Saturday, declaring that further negotiations with the Centre would serve no purpose unless Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was removed from office over examination leaks and alleged failures in the testing system.
Hours before a third round of discussions, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the demand for Pradhan’s resignation was “non-negotiable” and called on the government to provide a clear answer. His statement raised the prospect of another breakdown in talks aimed at ending a youth-led agitation that has spread beyond Delhi and disrupted Parliament.
“If it’s a no from the government, there’s no point in further discussion,” Ranka wrote on X, signalling that the organisation was unwilling to accept administrative reforms or assurances as a substitute for ministerial accountability.
The Centre had sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond after the second round of talks on Friday. Ranka and fellow spokesperson Saurav Das met senior ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh for nearly two hours at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, where the two sides discussed three principal demands and a wider reform charter.
CJP representatives said the government had shown in-principle acceptance of two demands but had not committed itself on Pradhan’s position. Those demands included protection for peaceful demonstrators from criminal prosecution and relief for families affected by deaths linked by protesters to examination failures and prolonged uncertainty over results and admissions.
The third demand, the education minister’s removal, has emerged as the central obstacle. CJP leaders argue that Pradhan bears political responsibility for repeated leaks, irregularities and weaknesses in examinations conducted by national testing bodies. The government has introduced corrective measures but has resisted calls to dismiss him.
The confrontation follows days of protests at Jantar Mantar and demonstrations in several cities over alleged question-paper leaks, recruitment delays and declining confidence in competitive examinations. The movement gained momentum after thousands of demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to clashes, detentions and accusations of excessive police force.
Security restrictions continued across central Delhi on Saturday. Entry and exit facilities at several Delhi Metro stations were closed or limited, while a heavy police presence remained around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and adjoining government districts. The measures disrupted commuters for another day and reinforced criticism that restrictions were being used to contain a peaceful political movement.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the authorities of treating students and unemployed youth as a security threat rather than addressing their grievances. The organisation has warned that it could announce another march towards Parliament if the third round of talks fails to produce an acceptable response.
Ranka also rejected suggestions that the movement should end because the government had agreed to engage with its representatives. He maintained that negotiations could not become an indefinite process that allowed the administration to avoid a decision on accountability.
The agitation has placed growing pressure on the government during the parliamentary session. Opposition MPs have repeatedly demanded Pradhan’s resignation, contributing to disruptions that have prevented sustained legislative business. Congress leaders and other opposition parties have backed the protesters, although CJP figures have sought to present the campaign as an independent youth movement rather than an opposition-led initiative.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised tougher action against those involved in examination leaks, including faster prosecution and stronger institutional safeguards. Testing authorities have also initiated disciplinary action, staffing changes and reviews of examination procedures. Protesters contend that these measures do not address responsibility at the political level.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s prolonged hunger strike added national visibility to the agitation. His health became a major concern during the demonstrations, and his decision to modify his protest followed written assurances on selected issues. CJP leaders, however, said the wider campaign would continue until the dispute over Pradhan was resolved.
The movement has drawn support from students preparing for medical, engineering, university and public-sector recruitment examinations. Their complaints extend beyond a single alleged leak and include cancelled tests, delayed results, disputed answer keys, weak grievance systems and the financial burden of repeatedly travelling to examination centres.
