The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday accused the Centre of failing to honour commitments made after talks that led to the suspension of its 49-day protest over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The organisation warned that it would resume nationwide demonstrations if the government does not provide a written copy of the agreed assurances.
The warning was issued during a joint press conference addressed by CJP leaders and Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, days after the group called off its agitation following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.
According to the CJP, the July 25 understanding included assurances that all existing FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn, no fresh cases would be registered, no punitive action would be taken against participants, compensation would be provided to families of students who died by suicide in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak, and the government would consider the group's five-point examination reform charter.
The organisation alleged that these commitments have not been implemented. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that police action against protesters has continued despite the agreement.
"If we do not receive a written copy of the commitments agreed upon on July 25 by tomorrow, we will be forced to resume our protests," Das said.
Earlier in the day, CJP spokesperson Abhishek Ranka alleged on social media that the government had breached its assurance of taking no punitive action against protesters.
He claimed that students had been arrested in Bihar and West Bengal, while volunteers and protesters in Delhi and other states were allegedly facing surveillance, detention and harassment.
Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters and urged authorities not to register any fresh cases through Delhi Police, central agencies or police forces in BJP-ruled or BJP-allied states.
During the press conference, CJP member Ratna Singh alleged that police action had intensified in several states. She claimed that multiple FIRs had been registered in Assam, 11 people had been arrested in Kolkata, and 86 people had been arrested in Bihar. These claims have not been independently verified.
The CJP also announced the launch of an online platform called 'Saakshi', through which protesters can upload videos and photographs that they say document police action during the demonstrations.
Kapil Sibal announced legal assistance for protesters facing police action and said he would contribute Rs 1 crore towards setting up a legal support platform.
He appealed to lawyers across the country to assist protesters seeking legal representation.
Sibal also alleged that Delhi Police was using facial recognition technology to identify people who participated in the protests. Authorities have not publicly responded to this specific allegation.
The confrontation comes only days after the CJP and the Centre held three rounds of discussions involving Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, following which the student group suspended its 49-day agitation.
The protests, centred on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination reforms, had drawn thousands of students and supporters to Delhi's Jantar Mantar and other parts of the country.
While the CJP maintains that the government has failed to honour the July 25 understanding, there has been no official response from the Centre to the latest allegations at the time of publication.
The group's warning signals the possibility of renewed nationwide protests if the dispute over the implementation of the reported agreement remains unresolved.
Sources: India Today