New Delhi, 27 July
CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday, July 27, expressed concern over reports that students and other protesters were being detained or arrested in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, despite assurances from the Centre that no punitive action would be taken against participants in the recent nationwide agitation. CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
The CJP demanded the immediate release of all detainees and withdrawal of all FIRs registered in connection with the protests.
CJP Raises Concern Over Detentions
The statement was shared on X by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, who said the organisation had received multiple reports of students and other protesters allegedly being targeted, detained or arrested by state agencies, particularly in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
The party said the reported action was a matter of serious concern because it had called off its nationwide protest only after receiving assurances from the Centre that peaceful protesters would not face punitive action.
According to the CJP, the assurance was given during negotiations by Union ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh.
CJP Had Called Off 36-Day Protest
The latest statement comes days after the CJP ended its 36-day nationwide protest following the Centre’s acceptance of its principal demand for the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
The agitation began on June 20 over alleged examination irregularities and later included a 26-day hunger strike by Sonam Wangchuk.
The protest was eventually withdrawn after the government gave assurances regarding protesters and agreed to the CJP’s principal demand.
The organisation said its decision to suspend the agitation was taken in good faith and based on the Centre’s assurance that protesters would not face punitive or retaliatory action.
Legal Team Assisting Detained Protesters; CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
The CJP said its legal team was coordinating with lawyers in the concerned states to help secure the release of those detained and provide legal assistance to protesters facing action.
The organisation also appealed to the Centre, particularly Nadda and Singh, to honour the assurances given during negotiations.
It urged the government to ensure the release of detained protesters and prevent what it described as any coercive or retaliatory action against participants in the agitation anywhere in the country.
The CJP also demanded that FIRs registered against protesters be withdrawn.
CJP Reminds Centre of Written Guarantee
The organisation said the Centre had committed to provide a written guarantee on the issue by Tuesday and urged the government to honour that commitment.
The CJP said its decision to suspend the nationwide protest was based solely on the government’s assurance that it would stand by its word.
The organisation warned that any departure from the assurance would amount not only to a breach of trust with the CJP but also to a breach of public trust with young Indians who had chosen dialogue over continued protests. CJP Demands Release of Protesters, Withdrawal of FIRs in Assam, Bengal and Bihar
CJP Warns of Further Action
The CJP described any breach of the Centre’s assurance as unacceptable and demanded the immediate release of all detainees and withdrawal of all FIRs.
The organisation warned that if its demands were not met, it would take further necessary steps.
The reported detentions and the government’s response are now likely to remain a key point of discussion as the CJP awaits the written guarantee it says was promised by the Centre.