The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has warned it will resume nationwide protests, alleging that students involved in the recent anti-examination irregularities movement are being arrested and harassed despite the Centre’s reported assurance that no legal action would be taken against peaceful demonstrators.
In a post on X, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed there had been a “complete breach” of the agreement reached with the Union government after the 36-day protest was called off.
Ranka alleged that hundreds of students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while many others were facing surveillance and harassment in Delhi and other states.
The CJP demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs registered against student protesters, the release of those detained, and a written copy of the government’s commitment regarding legal cases.
The organization warned that if these demands are not met, it will launch another round of protests.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the organization has been providing legal assistance to protesters since the beginning of the movement and urged Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Jitendra Singh to honour the government’s reported commitment to release detained students and refrain from filing new cases.
Das said the decision to suspend the agitation had been taken in good faith based on the government’s assurances and pledged that the CJP would continue monitoring developments.
Meanwhile, All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora arrived in Patna after reports of student arrests in Bihar. She criticized the use of serious criminal charges against protesters and warned that demonstrations could resume if the cases were not withdrawn.
The CJP’s warning comes only days after it ended its 36-day protest, which began on June 20 over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The movement concluded after the Centre accepted its primary demand for the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while government representatives reportedly assured organizers that peaceful protesters would not face legal action.
The agitation also included a 26-day hunger strike led by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, which ended following the government’s assurances.
Supreme Court Stresses Right to Peaceful Protest
Also on Monday, the Supreme Court of India emphasized that peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right while hearing petitions alleging police excesses against demonstrators.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said authorities must maintain balance while responding to protests.
“Right to protest, peaceful protest, lawful protest, is absolutely guaranteed under the constitutional scheme. So long as there is a peaceful agitation, merely because there is an agitation, there can’t be excesses,” the Chief Justice observed.
The court was hearing petitions, including one filed by Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, concerning alleged police action against NEET protesters in Delhi and other parts of the country.
