CJP refuses to negotiate Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over NEET paper leaks
Synopsis
The CJP has drawn a hard line — no negotiations, no venue change, no backing down until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. With Sonam Wangchuk on day 26 of a hunger strike and a failed 10-minute meeting with J.P. Nadda after a five-hour wait, the standoff between student protesters and the Centre over exam paper leaks is deepening into a full-blown political crisis.
Key Takeaways
CJP declared on 23 July that it will not negotiate on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over exam paper leaks.
Sonam Wangchuk entered the 26th day of his hunger strike; he is admitted at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram .
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged the delegation waited 5 hours at J.P.
Nadda's residence for a 10-minute meeting.
CJP insists any future government talks must be held at Jantar Mantar .
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said lakhs are protesting nationally, calling it the movement's 'biggest success.'
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday, 23 July declared it will not soften its core demand — the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan — over the ongoing exam paper leak controversy, and insisted that any future dialogue with the Centre must take place at the protest site at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
CJP's Non-Negotiable Demand
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, speaking to reporters, was unequivocal: 'Our protest will continue as it has been. We will not withdraw it until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.' Dipke also appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk — currently admitted at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram — to end his hunger strike, saying, 'We do not want him to put his life at risk. His life is very valuable for the country.' Wangchuk entered the 26th day of his fast on Thursday. A day earlier, he had said he would end his hunger strike if the Centre assured that no action would be taken against protesters.
Failed Talks With J.P. Nadda
Dipke alleged that the CJP delegation was made to wait for five hours at Union Minister J.P. Nadda's residence, only to be granted a 10-minute conversation. 'Who does that? It was a total waste of time,' he said. He added that while the delegation was being kept waiting, students were 'brutally beaten up' elsewhere — a claim the government has not publicly responded to. Dipke stated that any further engagement would only happen at Jantar Mantar: 'Whatever the government wants to communicate, the next meeting will take place at Jantar Mantar.'
CJP Fires Back at Nadda's 'Politicisation' Remark
Responding to Nadda's characterisation of the agitation as being 'politicised', Dipke said: 'If he dislikes politics so much, then why doesn't he retire from politics... they are the ones who do politics, hold election rallies and ask for votes. We are instead seeking justice for students.' CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka echoed the sentiment, saying thousands had gathered at Jantar Mantar with lakhs protesting across the country, calling it 'the biggest success of the movement — it has inspired an entire generation to stand up and fight for their rights.'
Systemic Accountability at the Core
Ranka argued that paper leaks persist because, in his words, 'incapable and corrupt people are sitting in the system from top to bottom, with Dharmendra Pradhan at the top.' He maintained that without fixing accountability and instilling fear of consequences among those responsible, the problem would not end. This protest is the latest in a series of public agitations over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy that had already put the Education Ministry under intense scrutiny.
What Comes Next
The CJP has drawn a clear line: no talks away from Jantar Mantar, no withdrawal until Pradhan steps down. With Wangchuk's health deteriorating and student protests spreading nationally, pressure on the Centre is likely to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
Independent inquiry into the paper leak mechanism itself — Pradhan's resignation, if it came, would be a political scalp without structural reform. Wangchuk's deteriorating health adds humanitarian urgency that the Centre cannot indefinitely deflect with process arguments.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is CJP demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation?
The CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks, holding him accountable for systemic failures in the examination process. The group argues that without his exit, no meaningful accountability can be established.
What is Sonam Wangchuk's current condition?
Sonam Wangchuk entered the 26th day of his hunger strike on Thursday, 23 July, and is currently admitted at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He had earlier said he would end his fast if the Centre assured that no action would be taken against the protesters.
What happened at the CJP's meeting with J.P. Nadda?
According to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, the delegation was made to wait for five hours at J.P. Nadda's residence before being given only a 10-minute conversation. The CJP described the meeting as a 'total waste of time' and has since refused to hold any further talks outside Jantar Mantar.
Where is the CJP protest taking place?
The CJP protest is centred at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The group has also stated that any future dialogue with the Centre must take place at this protest site, not at a government minister's residence.
How widespread is the protest against exam paper leaks?
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated that thousands have gathered at Jantar Mantar, with lakhs protesting across the country. The CJP has described this national spread as the movement's biggest achievement so far.
