No resignation for education minister as CJP gives government 24-hour ultimatum

Tensions escalate at Jantar Mantar as the student movement threatens a nationwide crackdown response, but government sources insist Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will not step down

India's youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has given the government 24 hours to respond to its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, NDTV reports.

Indian media outlets, however, cited government sources on Friday saying there is no prospect of him stepping down.

The movement, which began on social media over alleged national exam paper leaks, has gathered momentum over the past two months and turned Delhi's Jantar Mantar into the epicentre of anti-government protests.

During a second round of talks on Friday, CJP leaders refused to soften their position, insisting the minister's resignation remained non-negotiable.

According to Hindustan Times, the group warned it would intensify its agitation if the government failed to act within 24 hours.

But NDTV reported that sources in the BJP-led NDA government made it clear there was "no possibility" of Pradhan resigning.

Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh represented the government in the two-hour meeting at the Constitution Club of India. CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka led the protesters' delegation.

After the meeting, Ranka said: "The government is positive regarding two of our demands -- compensating the families of NEET candidates who committed suicide and withdrawing cases against protesters.

“However, on the core demand of the minister's resignation, the government sought time until Saturday afternoon. We hope he will be removed soon."

Meanwhile, The Statesman reported that CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke feared police could arrest senior movement leaders overnight.

"The government fears a larger gathering at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and Sunday," Dipke said. "They may attempt to arrest CJP leaders, including myself, [Friday night]."

He warned, "Such a move would be a massive mistake, as it will only strengthen the movement. When they picked up Sonam Wangchuk, the movement grew stronger. When students were baton-charged and injured, protests intensified. Now, if we are also detained, this movement will spread even further across the country."

Dipke reiterated that Pradhan's resignation remained the movement's only acceptable outcome. Saurav Das also urged the government to avoid actions that could trigger further unrest.

Government sources, however, struck a defiant tone.

"The government believes resignation is the easiest decision; instead, the government stands firmly by the minister," an official told NDTV.

Another senior official said, "The public gave us a mandate. We are listing problems related to the National Testing Agency (NTA) exams. Many paper leak gangs have been arrested, and stricter measures are under way."

The protests swelled after police used tear gas and batons against demonstrators marching towards parliament on Monday.

The movement has since spread to 36 major Indian cities with backing from opposition parties, including the Congress.