NDA Defends Crackdown on CJP Protesters

New Delhi, Patna: The NDA on Sunday defended the police crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters in Delhi and slammed the Opposition for allegedly spreading propaganda against the government. Union minister Chirag Paswan claimed that the CJP's protests over alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were an attempt to create anarchy in the country.

Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said peaceful protests were legitimate in a democracy but warned that anti-social elements could exploit such agitations to pursue their own agendas.

"I believe that yesterday's protest was meant to promote anarchy. In such a situation, the central government appropriately brought the situation under control," he said.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president accused CJP leaders of misleading young people and attempting to create disorder. He said such elements must be identified and stopped.

Paswan said his party did not support the use of force, particularly against young people, but maintained that Delhi Police had to take a tough stand to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

His remarks marked a shift from his position ahead of Saturday's protests, when he had questioned whether cancelling trains could stop the country's youth, apparently referring to restrictions imposed in Delhi.

The minister also criticised the Congress for allegedly inconveniencing Delhi residents through repeated demonstrations. He accused the party of remaining silent on sexual assault allegations involving a Jawaharlal Nehru University professor whom he described as a Congress MP.

Rejecting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote theft" through the SIR exercise, Paswan said the Congress was blaming the electoral system for its declining public support.

He challenged the Congress to ask its elected representatives to resign if it believed the electoral process was compromised.

Paswan asserted that democracy in India remained secure and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to governing in accordance with the Constitution.

Responding to Opposition suggestions that he resign over the law-and-order situation in Bihar, Paswan said quitting the government would not solve problems.

He said he would continue raising concerns within the government, as he had done over amendments to the Waqf law and lateral entry.

"If something is wrong in Bihar, I will bring that to the table and try to solve the issue. Running away is not a solution," he said.