CJP Issues Second Warning in Two Days, Threatens Fresh Protest Over Action Against Agitators

CJP Renews Protest Threat, Alleges Govt May ‘Weaponise’ SC Order Against Students

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday warned for the second consecutive day that it would resume its nationwide protest if the Centre failed to withdraw FIRs against student protesters, alleging the government could use a recent Supreme Court order to harass those involved in the anti-paper leak agitation.

The warning came after the Supreme Court, while hearing petitions over alleged excessive police force against students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and other locations, allowed authorities to continue investigations into existing FIRs. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, however, directed that no coercive action be taken against peaceful protesters and ordered the release of detainees with no prior criminal record.

The court clarified that the protection would not extend to individuals with criminal antecedents.

Reacting to the order, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said it contradicted the Centre’s assurance given during talks with the party on July 25, when the government had allegedly promised to withdraw FIRs and ensure no protester faced direct or indirect action. Based on that assurance, the CJP had called off its nationwide agitation after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

In a post on X, Das claimed the latest court order could be “weaponised” by the Centre and BJP-ruled states to continue cases against peaceful protesters, leading to harassment. He also questioned why the government’s lawyers did not oppose the court’s direction despite the assurances allegedly given to the protesters.

The CJP reiterated its demand that all FIRs against peaceful protesters be withdrawn and that no fresh cases be registered against them. Das warned that if the government failed to honour its commitments, the party would restart its nationwide protest.

The party had issued a similar warning on Monday. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka had then alleged that the government had breached its agreement by arresting hundreds of protesters and demanded the withdrawal of all FIRs and the release of detained students.

The CJP launched its protest against alleged examination paper leaks on June 20 at Jantar Mantar, with one of its key demands being the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the July 20 ‘Parliament March’, clashes broke out between protesters and police, with both sides reporting injuries.

Following two rounds of negotiations with the Centre, Pradhan stepped down on Saturday, after which the CJP suspended its protest, citing government assurances that peaceful protesters would not face action and that families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy would receive compensation.