CJP, Centre to hold talks today at Delhi's Constitution Club as protests continue: Here's all you need to know

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is likely to hold talks with the government at a neutral venue on Friday after the government agreed to its request for the meeting. The party said it would continue to press its demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a core demand of the students.

The discussion will take place at the Constitution Club of India at around 12:30 pm, ANI reported.

CJP's remarks on meeting with Centre

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das late Thursday night told reporters that a discussion with the Centre has been called for and welcomed the government's decision to hold it at a neutral venue. Das said, “Tomorrow, a discussion has been called for; we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen,” ANI reported.

Another spokesperson, Vaishnavi Gaur, said, "The government has agreed to meet us at a neutral place. We will be putting our demands, which we have been consistent with from the first day. The four demands: Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Second is compensation for the families... All the FIRs on innocent protesters should be dropped."

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike

Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

In a post on X early Friday morning, Wangchuk said he ended his hunger strike, adding that the step was taken following lengthy negotiations over various conditions and in light of possible violence in the country. 

He said, "Just now, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda & Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days. Earlier, 65 members of parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging me to break the fast. This was done after a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. meanwhile urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere."

On Friday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke added that Wangchuk's life was "far too precious to this country" after he ended his 26-day hunger strike, and added that the climate activist "put his own life in danger" for "awakening the conscience of an entire nation."

In a post on X, Dipke wrote, "We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country." He further noted, “The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”

PM Modi promises 'more strict actions against paper leaks'

As protests against the NEET paper leak intensify across the country, with more demonstrators joining in at the Jantar Mantar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night released a video, promising that "more strict" action would be taken against paper leaks.

In a self-recorded video shared on X, Modi announced that the Union Cabinet will take up a draft Bill providing for Fast-Track Courts and stringent punishment for offenders. he said, “I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts.”

The video came hours after Modi broke his silence over the controversy and announced that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure punishment for those involved in the paper leaks.

(with agency inputs)