Centre invites CJP for talks; 'peaceful' protesters turn down request, ask Ministers to come to Jantar Mantar instead
Earlier this week, Nadda had met a CJP delegation to hear their demands, which include Pradhan"s resignation and compensation for affected students.
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As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar show no signs of easing, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday, July 23, that the Central Government remains committed to dialogue and has already sent several formal invitations to student representatives for talks.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said the government does not see this as a matter of prestige, adding that he and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda are willing to hold discussions with the CJP at Nadda's residence or office, without any time constraint.
"This is a part of the series of continuous steps taken by the government for the welfare of the students. Humbly, I appeal to you all to come and have discussions," Singh said, noting that four invitations for talks had been extended to the CJP since Wednesday, July 22.
#WATCH | Delhi: Saurav Das, Chief Spokesperson, Cockroach Janta Party, says, "Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that we can hold talks anywhere; then we have already made our suggestion. Come to Jantar Mantar or to a neutral venue like the Constitution Club of India. We will… pic.twitter.com/US6JNf1al2
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2026
The CJP, however, blatantly turned down the offer from the Minister of State in the PMO. Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party had rejected the proposal to hold talks at Nadda's residence or office.
"The Ministers told us not to call them to Jantar Mantar since people are very angry and they won't be able to come there. We offered to hold talks at a neutral venue," Ranka told the cheering crowd, adding that the CJP would agree to talks only at Jantar Mantar or a nearby neutral location like the Constitution Club.
CJP rejects talks offer at the residence or office of Union Minister JP Nadda. CJP asks Ministers to come to Jantar Mantar or a neutral venue like Constitution Club. No middle-ground reached, stalemate continues. pic.twitter.com/8oJ0pmJDm5
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 23, 2026
"We have also told the government the talks will only proceed if the Centre can offer us something concrete; otherwise, don't waste our time," he added.
The government's outreach comes amid continuing large-scale demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, led by the CJP and several 'student' organisations, demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over repeated exam irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak. Earlier this week, Nadda had met a CJP delegation to hear their demands, which include Pradhan's resignation and compensation for affected students.