Nadda holds first CJP talks; Wangchuk stands firm as police standoff continues. Everything that unraveled today

In the first direct contact between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday held talks with two representatives of the outfit and assured them that the government leadership would hold internal discussions on their demands, after thousands of protesters tried to march to Parliament but were prevented by police.

According to the CJP, the assurance came after its Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and fellow spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka met Nadda, who acted as a government emissary, twice within two hours at the minister's residence. The two-member delegation submitted a memorandum outlining their key demands during the meeting.

Also read: CJP's Jantar Mantar stage dismantled after Parliament march; protesters to stay put


The memorandum cited three demands: the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation or dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak.

What did the CJP delegation tell Nadda?

Das said the delegation raised the three demands directly during the meeting. "We met JP Nadda twice. During the meeting, we stated our three demands. First, that Sonam Wangchuk be released immediately... Second, we demand that Dharmendra Pradhan must resign; he should either be dismissed from the Cabinet or resign voluntarily. The protest will continue until his resignation is secured. Third, we demand compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the NEET aspirants, more than 20 of whom have lost their lives. We approached JP Nadda regarding these demands."

What did Nadda say after the meeting?

In a post on X, Nadda said discussions with the CJP delegation began at 11:50 am and continued through the day in what he described as a "cordial atmosphere." An initial verbal round of talks was followed by a written petition submitted to him around 4 pm, the minister said. He appealed to the protesters to call off their sit-in and cooperate with the administration in restoring normalcy in the area.

Were any commitments made?

Ranka said that no firm commitments had come from the meeting. "The only assurance we got is that he will talk to the leadership and share the conclusions," he said. Das said Nadda had assured them there would be no further crackdown at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, though he noted there were no reports yet of police action stopping.

Later, in a fresh statement, Ranka said the CJP was yet to hear back from the government. "JP Nadda told us that he would speak to the senior leadership and get back to us, but we have received no response so far," Ranka said. The CJP has since asked the police or the government to come to Jantar Mantar if they wish to initiate further talks.

What conditions has Wangchuk set to end his fast?

Separately on Monday, Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike from Safdarjung Hospital, posted a handwritten note on X laying out the terms under which he would call off his fast. He wrote that his fast would continue past the Sansad Chalo march and would be broken only under specific circumstances he then laid out.

His first condition was that the central government take accountability for recent failures in the education system, particularly the alleged examination paper leaks. Failing that, he said he would accept being allowed, along with CJP leadership, to reach Parliament and receive assurances directly from MPs and party leaders that the issue would be raised in the House.

As a third option, he said if his health did not permit him to travel, senior political leaders could visit him at the hospital and give him the same assurance in person.

Wangchuk, 59, has alleged he is being kept under "illegal detention" at the hospital, a claim authorities have not directly addressed, saying instead that his treatment requires continuous medical care.

Separately, Pradhan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter's office in Parliament House, in a meeting that lasted around three-and-a-half hours amid the ongoing protest. It was not immediately known what was discussed.

What happened at Parliament Street during the march?

Protesters participating in the CJP's Parliament march on Monday refused to disperse despite heavy police barricading, lathicharge and use of tear gas, and raised slogans demanding Pradhan's resignation.

Also read: More than 50 police personnel, protesters injured during CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march, over 100 detained

The march, which saw participation from students and people across Delhi, was stopped near Parliament Street, where police had put up multiple layers of barricades. Police later cleared protesters from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas.

The CJP had earlier sought a meeting with a Cabinet minister and submitted a list of names it was willing to engage with, before the government agreed to talks on Monday. Ranka said it was only late Sunday night that the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, reached out to open a communication channel with the government, with more serious discussions only from 6 am Monday.

How has the Delhi police responded to CJP protest?

Delhi Police officials said protesters at Monday's CJP demonstration in New Delhi displayed "unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour," alleging that despite repeated warnings and lawful directions, they refused to disperse and violated prohibitory orders in force.

Police said protesters attacked personnel with stones and other objects, attempted to breach barricades, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property, posing what officials called a serious threat to public order and the safety of personnel on duty.

According to police, more than 118 personnel were injured in the clashes, including senior officers of the ranks of Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Police, besides several women personnel.

Around 60 protesters were also reported injured, police said, adding that medico-legal examinations of the remaining injured personnel were underway. Officials said 15 to 20 government vehicles, along with other public property, were vandalised during the incident.

Police said around 70 protesters have been detained so far, and that an FIR is being registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, assault on public servants, damage to public property and other offences.

CJP's response: "Ball is in their court"

Reacting to the day's developments, Das struck a mixed tone of resolve and skepticism. "We have stated the points we needed to raise; the ball is in their court now. They must deliver justice to the youth. However, given the brutality they displayed today through the police, I don't have much hope. Dharmendra Pradhan's time is over, and he will have to go. The question is, when?" Das said.

He, however, described the government's decision to hold talks as significant in itself. "For the first time in 12 years, the government has summoned people for talks due to pressure from the youth. They invited us for a discussion. That in itself is a major victory for this movement and protest. We have been assured that they will discuss the matter and get back to us soon," he said.