CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said Pradhan’s resignation remained non-negotiable and demanded an unambiguous response from the government. He indicated that the youth-led movement would adopt a tougher position if ministers rejected the demand or attempted to prolong negotiations without addressing accountability for examination failures.
“Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable. If it’s a no from the government, there’s no point in further discussion,” Ranka wrote on X, placing the minister’s continuation in office at the centre of the stand-off.
The statement followed nearly two hours of discussions on Friday between CJP representatives Ranka and Saurav Das and Union ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh. The government sought time until Saturday afternoon to decide its response to the resignation demand, while indicating broad acceptance of two other proposals raised by the protesters.
The CJP has sought compensation for families of students who died by suicide after examination-related distress and the withdrawal of cases registered against demonstrators. Its wider reform proposals include stronger safeguards against question-paper leaks, greater accountability within testing agencies, faster investigation of examination fraud and protection for candidates affected by administrative failures.
Saturday’s negotiations are expected to determine whether dialogue can produce a settlement or whether the agitation will enter a more confrontational phase. CJP leaders have maintained that technical reforms and financial assistance cannot replace political responsibility at the highest level of the education administration.
The protests were triggered by allegations of irregularities and question-paper leaks affecting major competitive examinations, including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test. Anger intensified as candidates and families questioned the security of examination systems, delays in investigations and the absence of ministerial accountability.
What began as a satirical online campaign has developed into a broad youth mobilisation, drawing students, jobseekers, civil society activists and opposition leaders. Demonstrations have spread beyond Delhi, reflecting deeper frustration over repeated recruitment delays, cancelled examinations, unemployment and the financial burden imposed on families when tests are rescheduled.
Thousands of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament on July 20, leading to clashes with police and allegations of baton charges and excessive force. Police personnel were also reported injured during the confrontation. The violence brought opposition parties into the campaign and disrupted parliamentary proceedings as lawmakers demanded a debate on examination integrity and Pradhan’s resignation.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Saturday that he had been diagnosed with typhoid and was receiving intravenous fluids, but insisted the protest would continue. His illness has added pressure on organisers trying to sustain the Jantar Mantar gathering amid restrictions, transport disruptions and difficulties in supplying food, water and medicines.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances concerning examination reform, parliamentary discussion and action against those responsible for leaks. CJP representatives have defended his decision while stressing that the movement’s central demand has not been withdrawn.
The Centre has signalled willingness to tighten the Public Examinations Act and strengthen penalties for organised cheating networks. Proposed measures include longer prison terms, higher fines, special courts and faster prosecution of individuals and institutions involved in leaking papers or manipulating examination processes.
The government has also pointed to administrative action within the National Testing Agency and plans to overhaul recruitment, security systems and examination management. Protest leaders argue that such steps, while necessary, do not answer why senior officials and political leaders remained in office despite failures affecting large numbers of candidates.
Pradhan has not publicly indicated any intention to resign. The government has avoided committing itself to his removal, creating the main obstacle to an agreement even as ministers continue to engage with the CJP delegation.
The dispute carries political risks for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party because the agitation has expanded beyond a single examination controversy. It has become a platform for grievances over jobs, educational access, coaching costs, recruitment corruption and what protesters describe as declining trust in public institutions.
(IPA Service)
