- Government sent four proposals for talks with Cockroach Janta Party and student protesters
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Health Minister JP Nadda will attend discussions
- Discussions can happen at eithe JP Nadda's office or his residence, Jitendra Singh said
Underlining that the government has sent four proposals for discussions since yesterday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh reiterated that the government is ready for discussions "any time", in a big outreach to the Cockroach Janta Party and student protesters.
The protesting groups, however, are insisting on talks either at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral venue rejecting the proposal talks at JP Nadda's residence or office.
"The government has sent four formal proposals for discussions with their representatives since last afternoon...This is a standing invitation to all our youth friends that the government is ready for discussions on all issues at your convenience, at any time," Jitendra Singh said.
The Minister said that he will be joined by his fellow Minister JP Nadda during the discussions.
"Discussions can take place either at JP Nadda's office or residence. We do not stand on prestige. Union Health Minister JP Nadda and I will be present for discussions. Slowly, by way of discussion, we will progress towards a solution. 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 added.
The CJP has rejected the government's proposal saying that they will sit for talks either at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral venue, not at the Union Minister's house or office.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced setting up of fast-track courts to deliver swift justice and stringent punishment for those involved in the paper leaks.
Read: PM Assures Students In First Message On Paper Leaks, Rahul Gandhi, CJP Hit Back
The present offer for talks comes days after tens of thousands of student protesters led by the Cockroach Janta Party attempted to march on Parliament, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET paper leak.
The CJP says that the government must come to it for talks.
IANS
Addressing a press briefing at the protest site, Jantar Mantar, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said police informed them this morning that Union minister JP Nadda wanted to hold discussions and invited them to his residence.
"We refused to go to anyone's house or office. The people's court is here. Ministers should come among the people. If they want to talk, the talks should be held at Jantar Mantar," he said.
Das, however, said the CJP remained open to dialogue and was willing to consider a neutral venue near the protest site if there were security concerns.
"We are educated people. If there are security concerns at Jantar Mantar, we can meet at a neutral place nearby. We have always said we are ready for talks. It would be good if the issue is resolved through dialogue," he said.
"We will also seek a sovereign guarantee from the government that no fresh FIRs are filed or punitive action is taken against any peaceful protester associated with this movement," he said.
According to Das, the agitation has spread beyond Delhi, with demonstrations taking place in several parts of the country, including Bihar, Goa, Mumbai and Rajasthan, and described it as an "organic" nationwide movement.
Yesterday too the CJP underlined that it's the government that must come to it.
"Talks with the government can be held at a neutral venue or at Jantar Mantar. We will not back down from our demand. The demand is for the Education Minister's resignation," Ashutosh Ranka, spokesperson, Cockroach Janta Party, had said.
On Tuesday, Dipke questioned the government's design behind starting talks with his outfit, saying it was engaging in dialogue with CJP while simultaneously carrying out a police crackdown on protesters.
Seventeen metro stations were temporarily shut during the day due to security reasons, leaving hundreds of office-goers, students and other commuters stranded for hours, forcing many to change routes midway, exit at unfamiliar stations and scramble for alternative transport during the morning rush. These were opened in the evening.
