Home Minister Amit Shah holds 4-hr meeting with Dharmendra Pradhan; Nadda meets reps of CJP protesters

New Delhi: Even as supporters of the Jantar Mantar agitation by Cockroach Janata Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk against NEET paper leak protested in huge numbers near Parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah held a marathon meeting with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the situation and the road ahead.

The three ministers held discussions for over four hours in Shah’s office in Parliament House. While they were engaged in this meeting, Health Minister JP Nadda met two representatives of the protesters, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranke, to hear their demands. Both sides claimed the meeting was sought by the other. Nadda posted on X that the meeting was held in a “cordial atmosphere”.

While Nadda’s meeting started at 11:50 am, the protesters gave a written submission at 4 pm. Sources said they have three key demands- Pradhan’s resignation, compensation to the families of 21 students who have committed suicide due to NEET paper leaks, and the release of Sonam Wangchuk, who is under detention and has been moved by the police to Safdarjung Hospital.


“I have requested all protesters that they should end the agitation and help the administration in restoring normalcy,” Nadda said on X. Government sources denied reports that the protesters have been asked to vacate the protest site at Jantar Mantar and the agitation continues.

Das, who is chief spokesperson of CJP, stated on X that their main demand is Pradhan’s resignation/sacking. “The minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. However, no commitments have been made so far. The peaceful protesters will not rest until the demand is met.”

The call for protesters to gather at Jantar Mantar and march to Parliament House got a huge response with youths, including a sizable number of women, gathering in massive numbers. Police had to resort to lathi-charge and used tear gas on protesters on Raisina Road, and near Rail Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan. Metro trains stopped at Central Secretariat station sporadically to prevent protesters from gathering near Parliament House. A stampede -like situation emerged periodically inside the station as the exit gates were closed and police were forced to let out people to ease the flow. This led to swelling crowds of protesters on the roads.

Shah, Pradhan and Goyal ostensibly waited for Nadda’s meeting with the representatives of the protesters to get over before dispersing. Sources said the demand seeking Pradhan’s head is not likely to be accepted but the other two issues may be redressed.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju joined the three ministers for a few minutes to discuss the issues to come up in the two Houses on Tuesday. Sources said the government will make an appeal to the Opposition to let the House function. The customary weekly BJP Parliamentary Party meeting- now called Mangal Milan- will be held on Tuesday morning.