CJP Presses Centre to Keep Promises After Post-Protest Detentions
Two days after ending its NEET paper leak agitation, the CJP accuses authorities of detaining supporters and seeks immediate implementation of government assurances.
Two days after calling off its 36-day nationwide agitation over the NEET paper leak, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday urged the Centre to "immediately honour" the assurances given to protesters, alleging that students and supporters were being detained in several states despite the government's commitments.
In a statement, the CJP expressed concern over reports of students and other protesters being "targeted, detained or arrested" by state agencies, particularly in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. It said the protest was withdrawn only after the Government of India assured the organisation that no punitive action would be taken against any protester in BJP- or NDA-ruled states, calling the reported detentions a "matter of grave concern."
The organisation said its legal team was already coordinating with lawyers in the affected states to secure the release of those detained and provide legal assistance. It urged the Centre, particularly Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh, to ensure the immediate release of detainees, prevent any coercive or retaliatory action against protesters and withdraw all FIRs registered against them.
The CJP also reminded the government of its commitment to provide a written guarantee by Tuesday, July 28, reiterating that its decision to suspend the nationwide protest was taken in good faith based on the Centre's assurances.
Warning that any deviation from those assurances would amount to a breach of trust with both the organisation and "lakhs of young Indians", the CJP said the government's credibility depended on honouring its promises. It demanded that all detainees be released and FIRs withdrawn by Tuesday, failing which it would "take further necessary steps."
The CJP ended its 36-day protest on Saturday after the Centre accepted several of its key demands, including examination reforms, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. However, the organisation said the government's commitments must now be implemented in both letter and spirit.
