Big news for the students protesting in NEET paper leak case. The central government has agreed in principle to compensate the families of the victims and withdraw the FIR registered against the protesters. Union Minister JP Nadda gave this information.
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): The Central government has reportedly given positive approval to waive legal cases against student activists involved in the NEET paper leak protests and compensate the victims’ families. After high-level discussions with Union Minister JP Nadda, CJP representatives confirmed that the Center has shown “significant in-principle consensus”, while further talks are still on.
Government’s in-principle consent on compensation and withdrawal of FIR
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the government has responded positively to some of the demands, while Union minister JP Nadda said the government will hold another meeting with the representatives. Das said the party put forward four major demands to the government during the meeting with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, including compensation for families who allegedly lost their children due to the examination system and withdrawal of FIRs against the protesters.
After the meeting that lasted for about two hours, Nadda said that the CJP delegation raised three main demands and five suggestions to improve the examination process. “The meeting lasted for about 2 hours… They had 3 main demands and 5 reform suggestions for the exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion between the governments,” Nadda said.
Meanwhile, Das said the government has responded positively to some of them, and the Center has in principle accepted the demands related to compensation and withdrawal of FIRs.
CJP put forward major demands before the government
Speaking at Jantar Mantar, Das said, “When Ashutosh and I went there, Union ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh were also present… We clearly stated our three main demands orally and in writing… The first demand, on which there can be no compromise, is that either Dharmendra Pradhan resigns or the government sacks him from the cabinet. The second demand is that every family who commits suicide because of this broken and corrupt NEET education system should be Compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given. The third demand is that all our brothers and sisters who were protesting peacefully but faced police brutality, those FIRs should be withdrawn. No FIR should be registered against anyone.”
He further demanded that no new FIRs be filed against the protesters and that the government provide a written sovereign guarantee ensuring that no one will be targeted in the future. “Furthermore, the government should give us a sovereign guarantee in writing that no one will be targeted in the future. We also told them about our fourth point – our five-point policy demand charter… The government responded positively to our second and third demands: compensation, withdrawal of FIRs, and a written sovereign guarantee that no such FIRs will be filed in the future. The government said that, in principle, it accepts these two demands. Therefore, we got a written reply yesterday. And the meeting has been called,” he added.
CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka also said that the government “has responded very positively to two of our three main demands”. Ranka told reporters, “The government responded very positively to the demand of Rs 1 crore compensation and the legal cases raised by us. This not only includes the FIRs already filed, but also a sovereign guarantee on our demand that no FIRs or legal cases will be filed against the protesters in the future.”
He said he hoped to get a written assurance from the government regarding meeting their demands, adding, “There has been a very positive response from the government on both compensation and legal protection. It has agreed in principle to these demands, and we hope that we will get a written agreement in this regard soon.”
Opposition attack on government
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stepped up his attack on the Modi government over the NEET-UG controversy, alleging that Dharmendra Pradhan is a “criminal education minister” and “he has to go”. Speaking to the media here, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the students have three demands, which include action against those who lathi-charged students during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologize to the youth.
“Dharmendra Pradhan is a criminal education minister. He must be removed. He is a symbol of the decline of our education system. He must go. He is the reason for thousands of people dropping out. He must go,” Rahul Gandhi said. “The person responsible for the paper leak should be sacked. Those who lathi-charged, attacked the students, action should be taken against them. Narendra Modi ji, the operator of the system, should apologize to the youth… stop threatening the youth, fulfill their demands,” he said.
Students’ agitation has been going on for weeks
For weeks, New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has become a rallying ground for India’s youth. What started as anger over poor exams has turned into one of the largest student-led movements in recent years. The spark was simple and painful: the exams that would decide the future were in danger. Thousands of NEET-UG candidates alleged that their question papers were leaked. At the same time, CBSE students reported major errors in on-screen marking and revaluation. For many families, it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was about a breakdown of faith in the system.
Youth groups and student unions said, ‘Enough’. Under the leadership of the Cockroach Janata Party – a youth movement led by Abhijit Dipke and Saurav Das – students started gathering at Jantar Mantar. Soon they were joined by AISA, AISF, SFI and other student organizations. Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk also came, starting a 26-day hunger strike in solidarity before calling it off following assurances from the government.
Three demands remain consistent: Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Complete reform of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and strict anti-paper-leak laws and compensation for families of students affected by exam stress and suicides, and withdrawal of FIRs against the protesters.
Movement intensified on 20th July
The movement intensified on 20 July. Thousands of people joined the “Sansad Chalo” march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Barricades were put up. Police responded with tear gas and lathicharge. Dozens of people were injured from both sides. The action sparked outrage among various parties and legal petitions were filed alleging excessive use of force. The police, in turn, blamed anti-social elements for instigating stone pelting and violence.
The government has taken action. It dismissed 47 NTA officials and announced a complete structural reform of the agency. The Union Cabinet also approved a draft bill proposing tougher penalties and fast-track courts for paper leaks. (ANI)
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