Govt ready to discuss NEET paper leak; CJP won't go to 'anyone's house or office': What is happening?

CJP declines JP Nadda's invitation for dialogue at his residence, insisting talks should happen directly at Jantar Mantar or a nearby neutral location. The deadlock over the NEET paper leak issue continued in Parliament on Wednesday, with the government expressing its willingness to hold a discussion while the Opposition insisted it would participate only if the matter was taken up through an adjournment motion.Security personnel carry out Lathi charge during CJP protest March to near the Parliament House, in New Delhi. (RAJ K RAJ / Hindustan Times)At the same time, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been spearheading protests over the controversy, said it has rejected an invitation to meet Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence, saying any talks should take place at or near Jantar Mantar. Follow CJP protest LIVE blog hereOpposition insists on adjournment motionCongress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Opposition was not opposed to a discussion but wanted it to be held under an adjournment motion so that the issue could be debated in detail.Also read | CJP now has a fourth demand, says spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka. Here's what it is"We are demanding an adjournment motion so that this issue (NEET paper leak) can be discussed properly. If the government can devote eight hours to discussing Vande Mataram, it can certainly allocate sufficient time for a detailed discussion on this issue through an adjournment motion. The government is always engaged in political games instead of addressing the real concerns, she told news agency PTI.Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP KC Venugopal reiterated the party's stand and demanded the resignation of the Education Minister.Also read | Day after CJP protests, Delhi's Connaught Place wears scars of chaos, shattered windows and violence"Our demand is very clear. Education Minister should resign."Government says it is ready for discussionThe government maintained that it has been prepared to debate the issue, provided Parliament functions normally.Responding in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre had repeatedly conveyed its willingness to discuss the matter.Also read | CJP's mega protest: A blow-by-blow account of what happened on Monday“We have been offering from the government's side for last three days that we are ready for discussion over NEET paper leak issue. We have said this on the first day that discussions take place as per some rules. I government is completely ready for a discussion over NEET paper leak issue. The government wants a meaningful discussion over the future of country's youth.”Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and Union Minister JP Nadda also criticised the Opposition for disrupting Parliament, saying the government had no hesitation in discussing the paper leak and related issues.“The INDI Alliance's conduct is very irresponsible. We can clearly see this anti-democractic conduct in the Parliament. Parliamentary decorum is being shredded and democratic values are being violated. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said very clearly just now that the Govt is ready to discuss all issues. Besides this, our Govt is ready to also discuss NEET paper leak and all matters related to it. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, ours is transparent Govt. It is a Govt which always rules in the favour of the people. So, we strongly condemn their (Opposition's) anti-people activities. They do not believe in democracy or democratic values.”CJP rejects invitation to JP Nadda's residenceEven as the government indicated its readiness for talks, the CJP said it would not meet ministers at their residences or offices.Chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the police informed the party that JP Nadda wanted to speak with its representatives, but the invitation was declined.“This morning, the police reached out to us again and informed us that Union Minister JP Nadda wanted to speak with us. They invited us to his residence, but we categorically declined. We are not going to anyone's house or office. A 'janata darbar' is being held here, and if the ministers want to talk, they should come to the people. The discussion should take place at Jantar Mantar. At the same time, we are reasonable people. If the government is concerned about security at the protest site, we are willing to meet at a neutral venue near Jantar Mantar. We are still waiting to hear back from them."Das said the protesters were willing to engage in dialogue only if the government intended to seriously consider their demands.“The government must have the intention to accept our demands. There is no point in calling us for meaningless discussions. Our time is valuable. Thousands of people are still participating in the protest, and we have to manage that as well... The government should clarify whether it genuinely intends to engage with us..."Cockroach Janta Party on Wednesday said thousands of protesters had gathered at the Jantar Mantar, with spokesperson Saurav Das sharing visuals of the crowd swelling at the protest site. Speaking to ANI news agency, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed “millions more will come” if the government doesn't agree to their demands. Meanwhile, the ministry of home affairs ordered the immediate deployment of 20 additional CRPF companies to Delhi. The CRPF companies are being brought in from West Bengal.(With inputs from agencies)Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read MoreNeetGet the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.