NEET protest: CJP firm on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, says govt sought time till tomorrow

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, who, along with Saurav Das, met Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, said the government had "in principle" agreed to two of the protesters' demands and had sought time until Saturday to respond to the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

The meeting was the second round of talks between the CJP—which is leading the nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak, demanding Pradhan's resignation and broader reforms in India's education system—and the Centre.

"Dharmendra Pradhan needs to resign or be removed from office. We discussed this issue with the government in detail. The government has sought time until tomorrow afternoon to respond to this demand," Ranka was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

PM Modi assures action against paper leak accused

In a late-night video message posted on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the anxiety and hardship caused by the paper leak controversy and said the government had taken several measures over the past two-and-a-half months to address the crisis.

His remarks came hours after the Delhi High Court announced the establishment of a fast-track court to hear cases related to examination paper leaks.

'Paper leak is not an ordinary issue'

Describing the controversy as deeply distressing for students and their families, Modi said the government fully recognised the seriousness of the issue.

"Friends, I know that a paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months," he said.

The Prime Minister added that those responsible had already been arrested.

"The culprits have been caught and are in jail. Our most important responsibility was to ensure that students did not lose an academic year. It was very important to conduct the examinations at the earliest," he said.

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since June 28 over the issue, ended his fast on Thursday night in the presence of Union Minister J.P. Nadda.

Wangchuk said he decided to end the fast after receiving assurances from the minister that no action would be taken against the protesters, the issue would be taken up in Parliament, and the government would provide Rs 1 crore in compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET examination.