CJP Protest LIVE: Centre to hold fresh talks with CJP representatives today; PM Modi shares another video thanking youngsters

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of targeting one of its volunteers, Mohd Junaid, alleging that he is being harassed despite serving food and water to people during the ongoing protests. In a post on X, the party claimed that instead of focusing on criminals, the police were wasting resources by pursuing Junaid and allegedly harassing his family in Uttar Pradesh.

The party said its legal and support teams were in constant touch with Junaid and asserted that it would not allow him or his family to be victimised. CJP further accused the government of using state machinery to suppress dissent, stating that it would challenge every alleged illegal action by the police in court and would not be intimidated by such measures.

Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has come out strongly in his defence amid criticism over his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike in support of students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak. In a post on X, Angmo urged people to "pause their political judgements" and show compassion, noting that Wangchuk is currently in the ICU after losing 11 kg, including significant muscle mass, during the fast. She said those quick to question his actions should first reflect on the sacrifice he made for a cause larger than himself.

Her remarks came shortly after Wangchuk responded to critics who suggested his fast had ended due to a political compromise. In a video message, he questioned why his commitment required a "character certificate," saying he had endured severe physical hardship for the students' cause and insisting that he ended the protest only after receiving a written assurance from the Union Government on the NEET issue and broader reforms to the country's competitive examination system.

After meeting with the government, Cockroach Janta Party's National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, "...Yesterday's meeting yielded a positive response regarding compensation and legal matters. An in-principle agreement was reached. We hope to receive that return agreement today as well. But no concrete decision has ever been made regarding the main demand, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. In fact, what we saw yesterday on mainstream media was that sources were saying that Pradhan will not resign. If Pradhan does not resign, then let us know; then there is no point in this kind of meeting. We will work on our future strategy... If the government continues this way, then we will be forced to opt for the tough stance." On Govt sacking 47 NTA officials, he says, "We'll have to look into a lot of details, but we're talking about the same thing again. The ultimate accountability is with the education minister, because he is directly responsible for all the paper leaks and students who committed suicide after the NEET paper leak. He will have to resign. We're constantly discussing other broad reforms... Yesterday, we also submitted a charter of demands to the government. It has been submitted to the government..."

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday strongly defended his decision to end his 26-day hunger strike in support of students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak, rejecting allegations that his fast ended due to a political compromise. In a video message shared on social media, Wangchuk said he had lost 11 kg during the fast and suffered severe physical strain, questioning why his commitment to the cause required a "character certificate." He also urged people to judge criticism carefully, asking them to consider whether it came from neutral voices or those driven by political motives.

Wangchuk ended his fast on Friday at Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh after receiving a written assurance from the Centre on the NEET issue and reforms to India's competitive examination system. He said he had delayed ending the protest by two days because he insisted on a written commitment instead of verbal assurances. Meanwhile, following a nearly two-hour meeting with the two Union ministers, representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said the government had sought time until Saturday afternoon to consider their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.