New Delhi: Fresh efforts to break the impasse between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) remained unsuccessful on Thursday as Centre CJP talks hit a deadlock over the venue for discussions. While the government reiterated its willingness to hold talks at any time, protest leaders maintained that negotiations must take place at Jantar Mantar or another neutral location, keeping the month-long agitation alive.
Centre CJP Talks Stalled Over Venue Dispute
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the government had sent multiple formal proposals inviting CJP representatives for discussions and remained prepared to engage with student protesters. He said Health Minister JP Nadda would also participate in the dialogue, stressing that the Centre was open to resolving the issue through discussions.
However, CJP leaders rejected the proposal to meet at JP Nadda’s office or residence, insisting that any dialogue should be held either at Jantar Mantar or another mutually agreed neutral venue. Protest representatives argued that such a venue would ensure transparency and reinforce public confidence in the discussions.
Government Reiterates Readiness for Dialogue
The Centre maintained that it has repeatedly reached out to protest representatives in an effort to end the standoff peacefully. According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the government remains available for talks “at any time” and is willing to discuss all issues raised by the protesters.
Officials have said the objective is to restore normalcy while addressing concerns surrounding alleged examination irregularities and demands for reforms in the public examination system.
Government representatives have maintained that dialogue remains the preferred way forward and have urged protest leaders to engage in discussions without further delay. Officials say the Centre is prepared to hear concerns related to examination reforms, transparency in public recruitment processes and safeguards against future paper leaks. They have also reiterated that meaningful discussions require cooperation from both sides to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.
Protest Continues at Jantar Mantar
Despite the government’s outreach, demonstrators continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, saying their core demands remain unchanged. Protesters are seeking accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak, comprehensive examination reforms and action against those responsible for irregularities.
CJP leaders have maintained that dialogue is welcome, but only if conducted in a manner that inspires confidence among students and the wider public.
Protest organisers, however, insist that the venue for discussions is a matter of principle rather than convenience. According to CJP representatives, holding talks at Jantar Mantar or another neutral location would reinforce public trust and demonstrate that the dialogue is being conducted openly. They argue that a neutral setting would reassure students and their families that the discussions are focused solely on addressing their concerns.
Political Attention Remains Focused on Protest
The continuing disagreement over the venue has prolonged one of the country’s biggest student-led protest movements in recent years. The issue has also dominated political debate, with Parliament witnessing repeated disruptions over demands for accountability and examination reforms. At the same time, the Centre has announced measures including fast-track courts for paper leak cases while continuing to seek a negotiated resolution with protesters.
As the Centre CJP talks remain stalled over the venue dispute, both sides continue to express willingness to engage while standing firm on their respective positions. With students maintaining their protest at Jantar Mantar and the government reiterating its readiness for dialogue, attention is now focused on whether a mutually acceptable venue can be agreed upon in the coming days. Until then, the protest is expected to continue, keeping examination reforms and student concerns firmly in the national spotlight.
Also Read: Delhi High Court Seeks Response From Centre, Police Over Jantar Mantar Protest Lathi Charge
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