New Delhi, July 29: The Cockroach People’s Party (CJP) has issued a warning of renewed protests across the country. The CJP alleges that the government is using recent Supreme Court comments on cases related to protests against paper leaks to evade its earlier assurances of withdrawing FIRs against peaceful demonstrators.
This warning comes after the Supreme Court directed that no punitive action should be taken against peaceful protesters during hearings concerning the alleged excessive use of force against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other locations.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud also ordered the release of detained protesters who have no prior criminal records, while allowing the ongoing investigation into existing FIRs.
Speaking late Tuesday night, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that the central government had previously assured protesting students that no new FIRs would be filed and that existing cases would be withdrawn.
Das stated, “However, following the Supreme Court’s order on public interest litigations related to our protests, the government is now claiming that the matter is sub judice, citing the court’s comments that the investigation into existing FIRs can continue.”
He expressed disappointment that the organization had expected a written assurance from the government by Tuesday, but no such information had been received. “We have not yet received that assurance, and the government is using the Supreme Court’s order as an excuse to say the issue is pending in court,” he added.
Citing the Supreme Court’s directives, Das argued that the order does not prevent governments from withdrawing FIRs and accused the government of misinterpreting the ruling in a way that adversely affects students.
He emphasized, “Nowhere in the Supreme Court’s order does it state that FIRs cannot be withdrawn. The power lies entirely with the government. The Supreme Court should also understand how the government is misusing its orders and politicizing them against the youth. The government must fulfill the guarantees given to us.”
Das warned that if the assurances are not honored, the organization will once again take to the streets in support of students facing legal action. He further claimed that the party has communicated its concerns to the government regarding the situation in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, where protesters are allegedly facing harassment and legal proceedings.
He stated, “There are fears that protesters are being targeted or harassed, and some have already been subjected to FIRs. We have consistently demanded that all protesters across the country be granted protection and that all FIRs against them be withdrawn.”
Das reiterated that the CJP hopes the government will fulfill the assurances made during discussions, warning that failure to do so will trigger another wave of protests.
It is noteworthy that the organization had suspended its 37-day protest after the government assured that no action would be taken against peaceful protesters and that compensation would be provided to the families of students who committed suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy.
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