INDIA bloc MPs huddle at Rahul Gandhi's house amid NEET standoff with govt

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday convened a meeting of the INDIA bloc MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha at his residence in New Delhi, as the deadlock between the government and the opposition over the NEET paper leak issue continued to disrupt the Monsoon session of Parliament. Meanwhile, the standoff between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak deepened as both sides disagreed over the venue for fresh talks, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts to ensure speedy punishment in paper leak cases.While the government reiterated that it was ready for dialogue and invited the protesters for talks at Union health minister JP Nadda's residence or office, the CJP rejected the proposal, insisting that any meeting should either be held at Jantar Mantar or at a mutually agreed neutral venue. Here are the top developments:Centre renews offer for talks, CJP rejects venue proposed by govtThe Centre once again invited the protesting students for dialogue after an earlier meeting between Union health minister JP Nadda and CJP representatives failed to break the deadlock.Union minister Jitendra Singh said the government had made multiple offers for talks over the past 24 hours and was willing to discuss all issues related to the protests."We are ready to discuss the issue on which the agitation has happened, and all the other related issues as well. The talks can be held with an open mind at the residence of Union health minister JP Nadda... The talks could be held at Nadda's residence or at the office," Singh said.JP Nadda also reiterated that the government remained open to discussions.CJP demands neutral venue, seeks 'concrete outcome'Responding to the government's offer, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protesters had no objection to talks but would not attend a meeting at the residence of a Union minister.He said the CJP had earlier suggested that both sides agree on a neutral venue after the government conveyed its reluctance to visit Jantar Mantar."Yesterday, they told us, 'Please don't ask us to come to Jantar Mantar. It will create problems for us because people are very angry.' So we said, 'Alright, neither your place nor ours. Let's find a neutral venue where we can meet.' Since they seem reluctant to come to Jantar Mantar, we suggested that they recommend any neutral location that is neither their residence nor Jantar Mantar."Ranka said the protesters had rejected the proposal to meet at JP Nadda's residence or office."Even now, Union minister Jitendra Singh is saying that the meeting can take place either at JP Nadda's office or his residence. But the people have rejected that proposal. If a meeting is to take place, it will not be held at Nadda's residence. It should either be at Jantar Mantar or at some other neutral venue."He also said the protesters wanted meaningful negotiations instead of assurances."We have also placed a second condition before the government. This time, we don't want empty assurances. If you are holding talks with us, there has to be something concrete... If you are inviting us for talks, we expect some concrete outcome."CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said, "Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that we can hold talks anywhere; then we have already made our suggestion. Come to Jantar Mantar or to a neutral venue like the Constitution Club of India. We will meet there. I have not received any message from their side yet...They should contact us directly and discuss where to meet, when to meet, and how long the discussion will continue."Passport action warningDelhi Police said that people found to be directly involved in the violence during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest could face cancellation of their passports.According to PTI, the move comes after clashes near Jantar Mantar left several police personnel injured. Police said investigations are underway to identify those involved in the assault on officers and damage to public property.CJP announces nationwide protests on July 24The Cockroach Janta Party announced that it would organise nationwide protests on July 24 as its agitation entered another phase.The organisation maintained that the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan remained its primary demand and said the movement would continue until the government accepted its key demands, including accountability for the alleged paper leak and withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters.PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak casesAmid the continuing protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.In a post on X, PM Modi said the government had directed authorities to take all necessary steps to safeguard students' interests."Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth. We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks... Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he said.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, criticised the announcement, accusing the government of failing to protect the education system and reiterating the Opposition's demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.Anna Hazare begins silent protest in support of studentsVeteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday began a maun andolan (silent protest) in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar in support of students protesting over the alleged examination irregularities.Hazare had earlier backed the student movement and urged the government to address concerns over alleged paper leaks and restore public confidence in the examination system.His protest comes as demonstrations continue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar despite heightened security and repeated clashes between protesters and police.Parliament remains paralysed over paper leak issueParliament witnessed another day of disruptions as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned repeatedly amid protests by Opposition MPs demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The government maintained that it was ready to hold a discussion on the issue without any preconditions, while the Opposition insisted that Pradhan must resign before any debate could take place.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared to hold discussions for any duration the Opposition wanted, but accused opposition parties of avoiding a debate by insisting on resignation first.Centre likely to convene floor leaders' meetingGovernment sources said the Centre is likely to convene a meeting of floor leaders to finalise a discussion on the paper leak issue in Parliament.According to the sources, the government has urged opposition parties to participate in the debate without linking it to the resignation of the education minister.The move comes as the Centre continues efforts to break both the parliamentary deadlock and the impasse with the CJP over the ongoing protests.Get the latest India News and Live updates. 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