Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, July 25: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday withdrew its protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after holding talks with the Union government, stating that its demands had been accepted.
The announcement came hours after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post. While the campaign had initially said it was awaiting action on its remaining demands, it later confirmed that an agreement had been reached following discussions with the Centre.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka appealed to protesters to disperse peacefully, saying the organisation would announce its future course of action later.
Another spokesperson, Saurav Das, said the agitation was being called off "in good faith", with the understanding that the government would implement the agreed terms within the stipulated timelines.
According to Ranka, the Centre had agreed in principle to provide an honorary compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, in line with applicable rules and regulations. The campaign had sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for each affected family.
He added that the CJP had also submitted a five-point charter on education and examination reforms, with another round of discussions expected in about four weeks.
Das said the government had agreed to withdraw FIRs registered against protesters and assured that copies of all FIRs would be shared within the next few days, followed by steps to withdraw the cases.
After the meeting, Union minister JP Nadda said the government had sympathetically considered the protesters' demands and accepted them. He added that the Centre would deliberate further on the proposed reforms in the education and examination system.
The protest began on June 6, when the CJP launched its agitation at Jantar Mantar. It gathered nationwide momentum after police action against demonstrators following activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast on Friday at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda.
Reacting to the developments, Wangchuk described Pradhan's resignation as "a victory for peace, patience and perseverance."