What is CJP’s fourth demand to the government as protests in Delhi intensify?

“What happened on July 20 was a trailer. If the government doesn’t agree, millions more will come to Delhi because this time we will not hold back and stay silent,” said Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday as protesters continue to throng Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the ouster of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Two days after thousands of protesters clashed with the Delhi Police as they participated in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, the CJP and its supporters aren’t backing down, making new demands of the government.

As the protests show no signs of abating, here’s the latest.

CJP puts forth new demand to government

On Wednesday (July 22), the CJP presented a new demand to the government — no FIRs to be registered and no legal action to be taken against those who participated in the July 20 protest.

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Speaking to the crowds at Jantar Mantar, CJP spokesperson Ranka said, “Many people were worried that they protested peacefully yet they are being targeted. We will ensure no legal action is taken against peaceful protesters. We will get arrested before you guys.”

This comes after the CJP earlier made three separate demands to the Centre in a letter that it submitted to Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday.

On Monday (July 20), Union Minister JP Nadda, met with Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. File image/PTI

The representatives of the CJP in their letter asked for:

1) The sacking of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: In the letter, the CJP wrote, “The youth of this country believe that Dharmendra Pradhan has completely failed in his capacity as the education minister of India. He is directly responsible for multiple paper leaks in the country, including Neet 2026 and other exam fiascos, most recently being CBSE 12th portal chaos and CUET exam delay. Due to the Neet paper leak, 21 students (as per our records) died by suicide.”

2) The immediate release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, with no prohibition on his movements.

3) A Rs 1 crore compensation for kin of all Neet aspirants who died by suicide.

The CJP also requested Nadda that the Delhi Police should immediately stop using brute force on peaceful protesters, “as our demands are legitimate and in line with the aspirations of India’s youth.”

Delhi Police files multiple FIRs

The CJP’s latest demand comes after the Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs against unidentified persons for the violence that broke out during Monday’s march. The authorities have also launched a probe into whether the violence was part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt peace in the Capital.

Protesters scuffle with police officers in New Delhi during Monday's Chalo Sansad march. File image/Reuters

According to one police official, the investigators are examining CCTV footage, including that from cameras equipped with facial recognition technology, to identify those involved in the violence and attacks on police personnel. “We are also reviewing social media posts and mobile phone recordings as part of the probe,” the source told Indian Express.

One of the FIRs has been filed after members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were allegedly assaulted by protesters near Jantar Mantar late Tuesday.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 10 pm when the RAF personnel were changing shifts. They noted that a “group of protesters” was shouting slogans and standing at the intersection when a few RAF personnel attempted to cross the road. A 35-second video on social media shows two RAF personnel being attacked by a crowd. One officer falls on the road and is kicked and punched by several people before others intervene and pull him to safety.

Security personnel detain Congress's Rahul Gandhi as he stages a sit-in protest outside the latter's residence in New Delhi, a day after police crackdown against the protesting Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters demanding the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down over alleged NEET examination irregularities. AFP

Government’s response to protests

Meanwhile, the government told Lok Sabha on Wednesday that it was ready for a discussion on the Neet paper leak issue. However, the Opposition, which also carried out a protest on Tuesday outside PM Narendra Modi’s residence, insisted on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in Parliament, “The government is ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue. If a discussion has to happen, it has to be done under a rule… when the discussion has to happen, its duration and under what rule it has to be done… We are ready for a discussion.”

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda also noted that the government is open to talks with the CJP. The minister is set to meet the Cockroach Janta Party delegation later in the day. “Talks between CJP and the government are happening and we are always open to take talks forward,” Nadda was quoted as saying.

Earlier, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital on Tuesday evening.

Responding to the government, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das noted, “They have called us. We will not go their office or their residence. The talks will either happen at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral location. We are open for talks right from day one,” Das said.

He added that there could be a “security issue” if the ministers visit Jantar Mantar. “We can meet at Constitution Club of India,” Das was quoted as saying. He further said the government had approached the CJP on Monday as well for dialogue.

With inputs from agencies