New Delhi: In a significant development amid the ongoing protests demanding examination reforms, the Centre on Monday initiated formal talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with a two-member delegation scheduled to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda later in the day.
The party confirmed that Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka will represent the protesters during the discussions, marking the first official interaction between the government and the movement’s leadership since the demonstrations began.
According to sources, government representatives first established contact through New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, proposing discussions at the district administration level before suggesting a meeting with a senior government secretary.
However, CJP leaders reportedly maintained that negotiations should take place directly with either the Prime Minister or a Union minister. The party subsequently shared the names of ministers it wished to engage with, following which a meeting with Union Minister J.P. Nadda was scheduled.
The outreach is being viewed as a potential breakthrough after weeks of protests, raising expectations that both sides may begin working towards a resolution through dialogue.
Confirming the development, Das posted on social media that he and Ranka were on their way to meet the Union minister after the government initiated contact earlier in the day.
In his message, Das said the party’s demands remain unchanged and asserted that the large participation of young people in the movement reflected growing public support for examination reforms. He added that the delegation would place the protesters’ concerns before the minister during the meeting.
The outcome of the discussions is expected to determine whether the engagement leads to further negotiations between the Centre and protest leaders in the coming days.
