Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday reiterated the Centre’s willingness to hold discussions with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to resolve the ongoing dispute. He said the government remained open to negotiations and invited CJP leaders to meet either at Union Health Minister JP Nadda’s residence or his office. Singh stated that both he and Nadda would personally participate in the meeting and work toward a practical solution through dialogue. He emphasized that the government had already contacted the CJP leadership four times in an effort to initiate meaningful discussions. Singh maintained that the Centre placed public interest above prestige and remained committed to resolving the issue peacefully. He urged the party to accept the invitation and begin constructive talks without further delay. According to him, continuous communication would help both sides address concerns and reach a mutually acceptable outcome.
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Jitendra Singh Says Government Contacted CJP Four Times
Jitendra Singh described the government’s outreach as part of a broader effort to safeguard students’ interests. He said the Centre consistently prioritized the welfare of students and continued taking every possible step to address their concerns. Singh explained that discussions remained the most effective way to reduce tensions and achieve lasting solutions. He once again appealed to the CJP leadership to participate in negotiations instead of prolonging the standoff. The minister assured that the government would listen carefully to every concern raised during the meeting. He stressed that constructive dialogue could help bridge differences and create a positive atmosphere for resolving outstanding issues. Singh also reaffirmed that the Centre had no intention of allowing ego or political considerations to obstruct meaningful conversations. He expressed confidence that both sides could make progress once formal discussions began.
Meanwhile, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das confirmed that police officials had once again conveyed the government’s invitation for talks. However, he announced that the party had rejected the proposal to meet at JP Nadda’s residence or office. Das asserted that CJP leaders would not visit any minister’s private residence or official office for discussions. Instead, he insisted that government representatives should come directly to the protest site and engage with the demonstrators. He said Jantar Mantar remained the most appropriate location because thousands of supporters continued participating in the ongoing protest. According to Das, public representatives should meet citizens where they gathered instead of expecting protesters to travel elsewhere. He maintained that such an approach would demonstrate the government’s sincerity and respect toward the movement.
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Government Reiterates Commitment to Dialogue
Das also offered an alternative venue near Jantar Mantar if security concerns prevented ministers from visiting the protest site. He stated that the CJP remained flexible regarding the meeting location as long as discussions occurred in a neutral public space. Despite extending this proposal, Das said the party had not yet received any official response from the government. He questioned the Centre’s intentions and argued that repeated invitations alone would not produce meaningful outcomes. Das insisted that discussions should focus on the party’s demands rather than becoming routine formalities without concrete commitments. He emphasized that the CJP expected clear assurances before investing additional time in negotiations. According to him, genuine dialogue required seriousness, transparency, and a willingness to address key issues raised by protesters.
The CJP spokesperson further highlighted the scale of the ongoing protest while explaining the party’s position. He said thousands of supporters continued participating in demonstrations, requiring leaders to devote considerable time toward organizing and managing the movement. Das argued that the party could not afford to attend discussions lacking a clear agenda or commitment from the government. He urged the Centre to clarify whether it genuinely intended to consider the CJP’s demands before scheduling another meeting. The spokesperson maintained that productive negotiations required mutual trust and sincere efforts from both sides. Despite rejecting the current invitation, he indicated that the party remained willing to hold discussions under mutually acceptable conditions. The standoff therefore continues as both the government and CJP express willingness for talks while disagreeing over the venue and framework for negotiations.
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