The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) told the central government on Friday that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan must resign over the NEET paper-leak scandal.
The demand marks a critical escalation in the standoff between the party and the administration. The CJP holds the education minister responsible for the controversy and believes his removal is the only way to achieve accountability for the systemic failures involved.
During the second round of talks on July 24, 2026 [3], the CJP reiterated that Pradhan's resignation is non-negotiable. The meeting involved Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. While the government reportedly agreed to two of the party's three key demands [2], the issue of the minister's tenure remains the primary point of contention.
One of the central demands submitted by the CJP is a compensation package of Rs 1 crore [1] for the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the controversy. The party continues to push for this financial redress as part of its broader effort to support victims of the exam scandal.
Reports on the location of the meeting varied, with some sources placing the talks at the Constitution Club of India and others at Vithalbhai Patel House. Despite the disagreement on the venue, both sides confirmed the progression of the dialogue.
JP Nadda said, "We will again meet on Saturday" [1]. This indicates that the government is seeking a resolution through continued negotiation, even as the CJP maintains its hardline stance on the leadership of the education ministry.
“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable”
The CJP's refusal to compromise on Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation suggests that the party is leveraging the public outcry over the NEET scandal to force a high-level political casualty. By pairing a specific financial demand for suicide victims with a demand for a resignation, the CJP is attempting to frame the issue as both a humanitarian crisis and a failure of governance.
