New Delhi: The Centre and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) are set to hold talks at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on Friday after the government accepted the organisation’s demand to hold discussions at a neutral venue.
The government had not issued an official confirmation at the time of reporting. The development comes hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following assurances from the Centre.
According to CJP, the meeting is expected to begin at around 12.30 pm.
CJP national spokesperson Saurav Das welcomed the government’s decision to shift the talks to a neutral venue.
“A discussion has been called. We are happy that the government accepted our request for a neutral venue, and the Constitution Club of India has been chosen. We hope the government comes with an open mind and listens to the people,” Das told reporters.
The organisation had earlier rejected the Centre’s proposal to hold talks at the residence or office of a Union minister, insisting that any future discussions should take place at a neutral location.
The previous round of talks between the two sides was held on July 20, when CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda at his residence.
Following that meeting, the two leaders alleged that they had been kept under “virtual house arrest” and said they would only participate in future negotiations if they were held at a neutral venue.
CJP has maintained that its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
Apart from seeking Pradhan’s resignation, the organisation has demanded accountability for the alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak, and the withdrawal of all FIRs and legal proceedings against peaceful protesters participating in the agitation.
