Government Assures Protesters of Case Withdrawals After Midnight Talks, Says Group

In a late-night meeting that extended into the early hours, representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) met with government officials to discuss the implementation of assurances for protesters. The CJP, which recently ended a 37-day protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, had warned of fresh demonstrations over alleged police actions against demonstrators.

The meeting, which lasted two to three hours, saw government representatives sharing copies of notifications from Bihar and Assam that guarantee withdrawal of FIRs, no future action against protesters, and release of detainees and arrestees. CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das shared details of the meeting on X at 1 am, stating that the government reiterated its commitment to issuing similar notifications from the Union government and other BJP/NDA-ruled states.

“Hours after our press conference, Government representatives met us. The meeting lasted for 2-3 hours. They shared copies of the Bihar and Assam notifications guaranteeing FIR withdrawals, no action in future, and release of all detainees and arrestees,” Das wrote. He added that the government had reiterated its promise to issue similar guarantee notifications from the Union government and other states ruled by the BJP or NDA.

In a video message, Das said CJP leaders conveyed their apprehensions that promises might not be implemented. “We told them that we were worried the assurances given by the government may not be fulfilled. In response, they brought along the Bihar Home Department's press release stating that all FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn and that no action would be taken against them in the future,” he said.

Discussions also focused on getting similar notifications issued by other state governments to ensure protesters face no legal trouble. Das stated, “The government has guaranteed that notifications addressing our concerns in various states will be issued by tomorrow and that protesters will remain safe. No action will be taken against them in the future.”

The CJP, which began as a satirical campaign and took its name from an insult, ended its protest after the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, one of its principal demands. However, earlier this week, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged that protesters were still facing police action in some states, calling it a “complete breach of the agreement.” He demanded immediate withdrawal of all cases and warned of resuming protests if the agreement was not implemented.

“We demand that all the FIRs against the protesters be immediately withdrawn, students be released and no future FIRs be filed. Failing which we will be forced to sit on protest again,” Ranka said.

The late-night meeting appears to have averted immediate protests, with Das expressing hope that the agreed language would be used in notifications. “No protester will be left alone. We are all in this together,” he said.