CJP, Centre set for 12:30 pm talks at Constitution Club; Pradhan's resignation among key demand

NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) delegation will meet Union ministers at the Constitution Club of India at 12.30 pm on Friday, after the Centre agreed to hold talks at a neutral venue—a key demand raised by the outfit during its ongoing agitation over the NEET row.The meeting comes a day after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, paving the way for formal discussions between the government and the protesters.Confirming the development, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation welcomed the government's decision to shift the talks to a neutral venue."Our protest will continue; Constitution Club of India chosen as venue for meeting with government ministers, hoping for an open-minded dialogue," Das told reporters on Thursday.CJP spokesperson Vaishnavi Gaur said the delegation would place the same demands it has been raising since the protests began."We will be putting forward our demands, which we have been consistent with from the first day," she said.According to Gaur, the key demands include the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation for the families affected by the NEET controversy, and withdrawal of all FIRs registered against what she described as "innocent protesters."'Peaceful protest will continue'Following Wangchuk's decision to end his fast, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked him for what he called an extraordinary act of courage."We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," Dipke wrote in a post on X.Despite Wangchuk ending his fast, the CJP has maintained that its peaceful protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar will continue until its demands, including Pradhan's resignation, are addressed.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.