A delegation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will meet Union government ministers at 12.30 pm on Friday, according to sources as reported by PTI.
The development comes days after clashes broke out between CJP supporters and Delhi Police near Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Tolstoy Marg and Connaught Place, with police alleging that sections of the crowd hurled bottles, stones and bricks while some personnel were assaulted.
Also read: CJP protest shines spotlight on Jantar Mantar's history of dissent
Following the violence, the CJP called for a nationwide protest against police brutality on Friday, with the leaders asking student unions and other organisations to collaborate for permission and logistics, and asking supporters to read out the students' demands and show solidarity with those who faced police action, sources said.
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
On July 20, during the party's 'Chalo Sansad' march, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das and leader Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister JP Nadda, reiterating their demand for Pradhan's resignation over irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
Das had said the minister assured them he would discuss the matter at the appropriate level, though no commitments had been made at the time.
Regarding talks with the government, Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the CJP delegation was kept waiting for hours during their meeting with Union Minister J.P. Nadda.
"We had been kept waiting for five hours, and out of which the conversation was held for only 10 minutes. Who does like that? It was a total wastage of time," he said.
The CJP founder added: "On one hand we were called for a meeting, while students were brutally beaten up on the other. Whatever the government wants to communicate, the next meeting will take place at Jantar Mantar."
Reacting to Nadda's remarks that the agitation is being "politicised", he said: "If he (Nadda) dislikes politics so much, then why doesn't he retire from politics...they are the ones who do politics, hold election rallies and ask for votes. We are instead seeking justice for students."
Referring to the swarm of protesters at the Jantar Mantar, CJP national spokesperson, Ashutosh Ranka said: "Thousands of people have gathered there, and lakhs are protesting across the country. This is the biggest success of the movement-it has inspired an entire generation to stand up and fight for their rights. People are no longer sitting quietly or living in fear; they are asking questions from those in power."
On the meeting with Nadda on Monday, Ranka said: "We had gone two days ago for talks, but it was a waste of our time at J.P Nadda's residence. If he wants to hold discussions, he should come to Jantar Mantar himself...our demands are very clear-we want Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. There is no negotiation on that."
