Protest Group Threatens Renewed Agitation if Cases Not Withdrawn by Tomorrow
A protest movement that recently ended its 37-day sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar has warned of resuming demonstrations as early as tomorrow, accusing the government of failing to honour an agreement to withdraw legal cases against protesters.
The group, known as CJP, called off its protest over the weekend after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, which was one of its key demands. However, the group now claims that the government has not fulfilled its commitment to drop FIRs and stop police action against protesters.
In a statement posted on social media, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, 'We are observing a complete breach of the agreement regarding no police action against the protesters. Hundreds of students have been arrested in Bihar and Bengal, and hundreds are being surveilled or harassed in Delhi and other states.'
The group has demanded that all FIRs against protesters be immediately withdrawn, detained students be released, and no future cases be filed by Delhi Police, central investigative agencies or police in BJP-ruled states. It warned that unless these demands are met, it would be forced to resume protests.
The CJP also demanded that a written agreement on legal cases, which it says was reached during talks with government interlocutors JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, be shared with them by tomorrow.
Following the third round of talks at the Constitution Club on Saturday, the CJP had said the government agreed to provide compensation to families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and assured withdrawal of FIRs lodged against protesters across India. The group had presented a five-point charter and agreed to a next round of talks after four weeks.
Multiple FIRs were filed after the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march, when a crowd attempted to march towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar. Police used tear gas and batons, leading to clashes and detentions.
Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court observed that the right to peaceful protest is 'absolutely guaranteed' and that police excesses cannot be justified merely because there is an agitation.
The issue also led to disruptions in Parliament, with opposition lawmakers demanding a response on the police crackdown. Meanwhile, the government introduced legislation in the Lok Sabha seeking tougher penalties for examination paper leaks.
