PM Modi's Reel: What CJP Said? | Ashutosh Ranka Pressmeet

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka addresses the media at Jantar Mantar today Interview Transcript in English: Reporter: Ashutosh ji, today is the second round of your meeting. Yesterday you placed five demands before the government. Has there been any development overnight? Have you decided to change any of those demands, or are they still the same? Also, what is the timing and location of today's meeting? Ashutosh: So far, there has been no significant movement. In yesterday's meeting, we received a positive response regarding compensation and the legal cases against protesters. We received an in-principle agreement, and we hope that today we will also receive a written agreement. However, on our main demand—the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan—there has been no concrete decision. In fact, what we saw in sections of the mainstream media yesterday was that sources were saying Mr. Pradhan would not resign. If he is not going to resign, then the government should say so openly. Otherwise, there is no point in holding such meetings. We will then decide our future course of action accordingly. Reporter: Yesterday, representatives from 47 organisations said they would hold another meeting and issue a larger call for action. Ashutosh: Absolutely. If the government remains stubborn when the entire country is demanding only one thing—the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan—and the government says he will not resign, then that is actually the easiest decision to make. If it is such an easy decision, then make it first. Handle the difficult issues later. But if the government continues with this attitude, we too will be forced to take some tough decisions. Reporter: The NTA has reportedly dismissed 47 officials. Are you satisfied with that action? Ashutosh: First, we need to examine which officials have been dismissed and for what reasons. But once again, the ultimate accountability lies with the Education Minister of this country because he is directly responsible for all the examination paper leaks. He must take responsibility for the paper leaks and for the students who allegedly died by suicide after the NEET paper leak controversy. We are also continuously discussing broader reforms to the examination system. Yesterday our delegation submitted a charter of demands to the government. We want action on those demands as well. Reporter: Sona Mansingh recently released a video after a political leader compared her to "Anna Hazare Part Two." She said she was deeply hurt and explained how her prolonged fast had affected her health and damaged her organs. Ashutosh: If you are questioning Sona Mansingh's intentions, nothing could be more unfortunate. She has been on a hunger strike. For several days, we repeatedly requested her to end the fast. But she said she would not do so until the government responded regarding the legal cases and compensation. She was deeply disturbed by what she described as police brutality. After everything she has gone through, questioning her sincerity is simply unfair. Reporter: Last night, the Prime Minister posted another Instagram Reel addressing young people by saying "Hello friends." This is the second consecutive day that he has done so. Even in the Cabinet, ministers have reportedly been asked to make Instagram Reels connecting with young people. How do you see this? Ashutosh: If Prime Minister Modi is making Reels late at night, it clearly means there is some concern. Something in the system is changing. Mr. Modi has realised that young people's anger is growing rapidly. What perhaps the mainstream media is not showing is now clearly visible on Instagram. That is why he is making Reels late at night. But making Reels alone is not enough. You talked about taking strict action—then take strict action. The strictest action would be to ask Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. After that, you can make as many Reels as you like. We will even share them. Reporter: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said the government should engage in dialogue with young people, and that without dialogue there can be no solution. Ashutosh: That's a good thing. It's good that Mr. Bhagwat has finally spoken after all this time. The government has now started talking to young people. We appreciate that. Now they should also accept one more demand of ours—remove Dharmendra Pradhan from office. Reporter: You have said there will be another major call for action from the 20th. Since violence took place on the 20th... Ashutosh: There was no violence on the 20th. What happened was police brutality. Our students were beaten, assaulted and dragged on the roads. Even young students were allegedly molested. Our volunteers, who were only trying to help manage the crowd, were also mistreated. Thank you for watching our video! You can subscribe to our channel here: https://bit.ly/3c8Adi6 Visit https://www.thehindu.com/ for the latest updates, analysis, opinions, and more.