Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the Chhatra Jatiya Parishad (CJP), said the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable.
The standoff reflects growing student frustration over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) process and broader education policy failures. The CJP warns that if the minister does not step down, the group will take the issue directly to the Prime Minister.
Protesters have gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to voice their grievances. The situation has escalated, with reports of a lathicharge and tear gas firing that forced some protesters to seek refuge in nearby cafes [1]. Authorities have detained 70 protesters during the unrest [1].
In an interview with NDTV, Das said the rigidity of the group's position remains. He said the matter could move from the ministry to the highest level of government if demands are not met [3].
Internal government responses to the crisis appear fragmented. Some reports indicate the government requested time until Saturday afternoon to consider the resignation [2]. However, Ashutosh Ranka, a CJP representative, said a meeting with JP Nadda was a "waste of time" [2].
The protests coincide with other high-profile demonstrations in the capital. Sonam Wangchuk has maintained a hunger strike for more than 20 days [1]. One protester, identified as Dipke, compared the current atmosphere to North Korea [1].
The CJP continues to maintain its presence at Jantar Mantar, insisting that policy failures in the education sector can only be rectified through a change in leadership at the ministerial level.
“The demand for the minister's resignation is non‑negotiable.”
The escalation of the CJP protests suggests a deepening rift between the student body and the Ministry of Education over examination integrity and policy implementation. By threatening to bypass the minister and appeal directly to the Prime Minister, the CJP is attempting to elevate a departmental grievance into a national political crisis, testing the government's willingness to concede to student demands to maintain civil order in the capital.
