Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that discussions are underway within the Narendra Modi government about transferring Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to a different portfolio instead of removing him from the Cabinet.

Gandhi made the allegation as pressure continues to mount on the government over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, with the Cockroach Janta Party leading a sustained protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and demanding Pradhan's resignation.

The government, however, has maintained that Pradhan's resignation is not being considered. Sources have defended the minister, saying that stepping down would be the simplest response and asserting that the Centre continues to back him.

Speaking to reporters outside 10 Janpath, Gandhi said the students protesting over the examination controversy had three key demands that, in his view, could not be compromised on. He was accompanied by student representatives during the interaction.

Gandhi's primary demand was the removal of Pradhan, whom he accused of being unfit to continue as Education Minister. He alleged that there had been discussions within the Prime Minister's Cabinet about shifting Pradhan to another department.

The Congress leader rejected the possibility of such a move, arguing that changing the minister's portfolio would not address the concerns of students. He insisted that Pradhan must be removed from the government rather than simply reassigned to another ministry.

Gandhi also criticised the police response to the student-led demonstrations, particularly the action taken during Monday's march towards Parliament. He condemned what he described as excessive force against protesters and called for accountability against officials responsible for allegedly assaulting students.

The Congress leader further called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to students affected by the controversy. He framed the ongoing confrontation as a generational struggle, saying that the country's younger population should not have to bear the consequences of failures in the examination system.

His comments came ahead of another round of negotiations between the Centre and representatives of the CJP, the group that has been leading the agitation at Jantar Mantar.

The government has reportedly agreed to some of the protest group's demands, but the issue of Pradhan's resignation remains the biggest obstacle in the negotiations.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka has indicated that further talks may become pointless if the government refuses to reconsider its position on the Education Minister. The group is also reportedly considering another march towards Parliament if the discussions fail to produce an agreement.

For now, the Centre appears determined to retain Pradhan, while the Opposition and student protesters continue to insist that his removal is essential to resolving the crisis surrounding the NEET-UG examination.