New Delhi: The ongoing student protest over the alleged NEET paper leak is set to receive a major boost after the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) announced that it will join the agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar from July 27. The farmers' union said it will march to the national capital on Sunday and its members will remain in Delhi until the students' demands are accepted.
Farmers Announce Delhi March, CJP Sends Fresh Warning
Responding to the announcement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is spearheading the protests, welcomed the decision and stepped up its attack on the Centre.
The government must understand that it can either bomb the peaceful protesters using the tanks it is transporting to Delhi (I mean, what are they trying to do by transporting these? Kill their own children? Is this where we have come in Gandhi's India?) Or, accept demands. The time is ticking!" the post read.
CJP Keeps Pressure On Centre Over Pradhan's Resignation
The development comes as the CJP has reiterated that it may adopt a "tough stance" if the Centre does not clarify its position on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka said the latest round of talks with Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh had yielded progress on some issues but not on the organisation's principal demand.
"Yesterday's meeting yielded a positive response regarding compensation and legal matters, reaching an in-principle agreement. We hope to receive that written agreement today. However, no concrete decision has been made regarding our main demand. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation."
Ranka added that reports suggesting Pradhan may not step down had raised concerns within the organisation.
"Mainstream media reports suggest sources are saying Pradhan will not step down. If he does not resign, the government should state it clearly, as there is no point in continuing these meetings. We will then decide on our next steps. If the government continues this approach, we will be forced to take a tough stance," he said.
The CJP has repeatedly maintained that Pradhan's resignation, compensation for alleged NEET paper leak victims and protection from legal action for protesters are its non-negotiable demands.
Rahul Gandhi Backs Students, PM Modi Promises Action
The protest has also received backing from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who met students on a hunger strike on Saturday and described their three key demands as "non-negotiable."
Accusing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of being "corrupt" and "incompetent", Gandhi said the minister must be removed rather than shifted to another portfolio.
"...Students have three demands, and these are not negotiable demands... The first demand is that the Education Minister, who is corrupt, incompetent, and misaligned, has to be sacked... There's some talk going on in Mr. Modi's cabinet that the solution is to move Dharmendra Pradhan from education to some other ministry. This is not acceptable to the students of India. It is not acceptable to anybody. The reason is that Pradhan is a symbol of corruption and of what has happened to the future of India's children. He is a symbol of the destruction of the most valuable thing that this country has, which is our students and their future. And so there is going to be no conversation about Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan being moved here, moved there, put behind, forward, nothing. Dharmendra Pradhan has to be sacked."
Commenting on restrictions imposed during the protests, Gandhi also criticised the government's handling of the agitation.
"... all the system that is attacking them. I told them inside. I said don't worry. No amount of strength... the entire Indian government, every single person in the Indian government can not move you there (Jantar Mantar). Whatever they want to do, they can, but these people won't move. They are India's future, and no one can fight with them. Narendra Modi is India's past, and the past can never fight the future," he added.
The developments come days after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following written assurances from the Union government on issues related to the NEET examination and broader reforms to the competitive examination system.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said strict action will be taken against those responsible for alleged paper leaks. He also announced that the Union Cabinet would consider a draft Bill proposing fast-track courts and stricter punishment for offenders.
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