As protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensified in New Delhi over the demand for then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Centre initially proposed transferring him to another ministry instead of removing him from the government, according to sources.

The proposal was reportedly conveyed during negotiations between Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh and representatives of the CJP. However, the offer was rejected as the protest leaders maintained that only Pradhan’s resignation would meet their demand.

Centre proposed ministry change during first round of talks

According to sources, JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Nadda’s residence on July 20. The meeting took place while police action against protesters was underway in the national capital during the Parliament march called by the group.

During the discussions, the Union ministers reportedly suggested moving Dharmendra Pradhan from the Education Ministry to another portfolio in an effort to resolve the standoff.

However, the CJP negotiators rejected the proposal, reiterating that the protest would continue unless Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet.

Sources also said the ministers informed the CJP that appointing or reshuffling ministers was the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

CJP maintained resignation was the only acceptable solution

According to sources, the CJP refused to consider any compromise short of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The negotiators reportedly believed that accepting a ministry change instead of a resignation would trigger a backlash from the protesters participating in the movement.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on Saturday, just hours before the third round of talks between the CJP and Union ministers. Following his resignation, the CJP announced that it was calling off its protest.

Rahul Gandhi also opposed a portfolio change

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had also said that merely changing Dharmendra Pradhan’s ministry would not satisfy students or the Opposition.

He had stated that Pradhan should be removed from the government, saying the former Education Minister had become “a symbol of the mess in the education system.”

Dharmendra Pradhan cited national interest in resignation note

In his resignation letter, Dharmendra Pradhan said he had stepped down to prevent what he described as anti-national forces from taking advantage of the agitation over examination paper leaks.

In a two-page resignation note posted in Hindi on social media, he said his decision was aimed at ensuring that the country’s unity remained intact and that students’ futures were not affected by legal complications, allowing them to focus on their studies and careers.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday claimed it received fresh assurances from government representatives following a late-night meeting, with the group saying steps would be taken to protect protesters from legal action in more BJP/NDA-ruled states.

The development came hours after the party warned it could resume its agitation, alleging that promises made during earlier negotiations on police action against protesters were not being implemented.

CJP claims fresh assurances after midnight meeting

In a post shared on X at around 1 am, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said government representatives met party leaders for nearly three hours and shared official notifications issued by the Bihar and Assam governments.

According to Das, the notifications guarantee the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, the release of detainees and assurances that no future action will be taken against those who participated in the demonstrations.

He also claimed the government reaffirmed its commitment to issuing similar notifications from the Union government and other BJP/NDA-ruled states.

“Hopefully, the agreed upon language shall be used. No protester will be left alone. We are all in this together,” Das said.

CJP says discussions focused on safeguarding protesters

In a video message released after the meeting, Das said the party conveyed its concerns that previous assurances might not be fully implemented.

He said government representatives presented the Bihar Home Department’s press release stating that FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn and that no future action would be taken.

Das added that discussions also covered the possibility of other state governments issuing similar notifications to ensure protesters do not face legal proceedings.

According to him, the government assured the party that notifications addressing these concerns would be issued by Tuesday and that protesters would remain protected from future action.

He also said the CJP would continue working to ensure that every protester who participated in demonstrations across the country is protected from legal action.

Fresh protest threat put on hold for now

The latest developments came after the CJP warned on Monday that it could return to the streets if cases against protesters were not withdrawn.

The Abhijeet Dipke-led movement, which began as a satirical campaign and derived its name from an insult, ended its 37-day protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the weekend after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, one of the group’s key demands.

Earlier on Monday, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that despite earlier assurances, protesters continued to face police action in some parts of the country.

He claimed that students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers supporting protesters in Delhi and other states were facing surveillance or detention.

Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters, the release of detained students and an assurance that no fresh FIRs would be registered. He warned that the group would resume protests if those demands were not met.

Rajasthan also covered, claims CJP

Later on Monday night, Das said the party had also received assurances regarding Rajasthan.

He claimed authorities had guaranteed that no action would be taken against protesters in the state and that no FIRs had been registered or would be registered.

Das further said the party was continuing discussions to ensure other BJP/NDA-ruled states issue notifications with language that clearly protects protesters from legal action.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned that it will resume protests from Tuesday if the Centre does not withdraw cases filed against demonstrators and stop further police action against students involved in the nationwide agitation.

The Abhijeet Dipke-led movement, which began as a satirical campaign and later evolved into a nationwide protest over alleged examination irregularities, had ended its 37-day sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the weekend following discussions with the government.

According to the organisation, the protest was withdrawn in “good faith” after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, one of the group’s key demands.

CJP alleges breach of assurances

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that authorities had failed to honour assurances made during negotiations by continuing police action against protesters.

In a post on X, he claimed that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers and protesters in Delhi and other states were facing surveillance and harassment.

Ranka urged senior ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who represented the government during the talks, to ensure that all FIRs registered against protesters are withdrawn and that no fresh cases are filed by Delhi Police, central investigative agencies or police forces in BJP-allied states.

He also sought a written copy of the understanding reached during the negotiations regarding legal action against protesters.

Demands raised after talks with Centre

Following the third round of discussions held at the Constitution Club on Saturday, the CJP had said the Centre agreed to provide suitable compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and assured that FIRs lodged against protesters across the country would be withdrawn.

The organisation had submitted a five-point charter of demands to the government and said another round of talks would be held after four weeks.

One of the group’s major demands was the withdrawal of FIRs registered after the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march and a commitment that no further legal action would be initiated against protesters.

Police action and Parliament debate

Several FIRs were filed following clashes during the July 20 protest near Parliament after demonstrators attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament.

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, leading to clashes and multiple detentions.

On Monday, the issue echoed in Parliament as Opposition members repeatedly demanded a government response over the police crackdown on protesters.

Meanwhile, despite disruptions in the House, the government introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha proposing stricter penalties for examination paper leaks.