Mamata Banerjee likely to join CJP's Jantar Mantar protest over NEET row: Report

The move could mark a significant escalation in opposition support for the student-led agitation seeking accountability over the examination crisis.

Opposition leaders rally behind student protest

According to PTI, Banerjee's possible participation comes as the protest movement gains support from opposition parties, with demonstrators demanding action over alleged lapses in the conduct of NEET and other entrance examinations.

The CJP has been staging protests at Jantar Mantar, pressing for several demands, including action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak and accountability from the Education Ministry.

CJP sticks to resignation demand

The government's position comes even as the CJP remained firm after the second round of talks with the Centre on Friday.

The discussions, held at the Constitution Club of India, were attended by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on behalf of the government.

The CJP delegation included national spokesperson Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Following the meeting, the CJP said the Centre had sought time until Saturday afternoon to respond to its demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

"The government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. We hope the government will remove him soon," Ashutosh Ranka said.

He added that the government had, in principle, agreed to two other demands — compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against students involved in the protests.

Centre's outreach to protesters

The CJP had agreed to hold talks after the Centre reportedly accepted two preconditions: that peaceful protesters would not face legal action and that families affected by the examination controversy would receive compensation.

Ahead of the meeting, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated that there could be no resolution without the Education Minister's resignation.

"If the government wants a solution to the protest, it is only the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan," he said.

The negotiations came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, saying he had done so after prolonged discussions with the government and to prevent possible violence.

NEET controversy triggers political storm

The NEET examination controversy has triggered a nationwide debate over the integrity of India's examination system, with opposition parties accusing the government of failing to protect the interests of students.

The Centre has announced steps to overhaul the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts major entrance examinations, and has promised stricter action against those involved in paper leak cases.

Students are protesting against the NEET paper leak row in Jantar Mantar. Photo: X/CJP

Banerjee's expected appearance at the protest is likely to add political weight to the ongoing agitation, which has already drawn support from several opposition leaders and student organisations.