The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday held a press conference in New Delhi with Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, warning that it would resume its nationwide agitation if the Centre failed to stop action against NEET protesters, release detained students and honour the commitments made before the protest was called off.
The party alleged that the government had breached its assurance that no punitive action would be taken against protesters. It also said those responsible for the alleged police action against peaceful demonstrators, as well as those behind examination paper leaks, would be held accountable.
Addressing the press conference alongside CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ratna Singh, Kapil Sibal said, “My role is to assist the party with its legal matters.”
The CJP also launched ‘Sakshi’, a platform through which students and protesters can submit videos, photographs, testimonies and details of legal cases relating to the alleged police action. The party said the material would be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
CJP alleges students are being detained in several states
Earlier on Monday, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das wrote on X that students and other protesters were being detained in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar despite the Centre’s assurance that no punitive action would be taken against those involved in the nationwide NEET protests.
Das said the party had suspended its nationwide agitation in good faith after receiving the government’s assurance that no protester would face punitive action.
He warned that if the Centre failed to honour its commitment, it would amount to a betrayal of the trust of millions of young people who had chosen dialogue over continued protests.
Bihar would not take action against protestors
The Bihar government has announced that it will not take any punitive or retaliatory legal action against individuals involved in protests anywhere in Bihar prior to 6:00 PM on July 26.
It will also initiate the withdrawal of all FIRs, criminal complaints, and show-cause notices linked to the protests, release all those arrested or detained in such cases, and ensure no future action is taken against the protesters.
Written assurance sought by Tuesday
Saurav Das said the Centre had assured the CJP that no retaliatory action would be taken against protesters in BJP- and NDA-ruled states and had committed to providing a written guarantee by Tuesday, July 28.
He said the party had suspended its 36-day nationwide protest in good faith, solely on the basis of that assurance. Any departure from the commitment, he added, would amount to a breach of trust not only with the CJP but also with lakhs of young people who had chosen dialogue over continued protests.
CJP says legal teams assisting detained protesters
Das said the party’s legal team was already coordinating with lawyers in the affected states to secure the release of those detained and provide legal assistance.
He said legal support had been extended to protesters since the first day of the movement and assured students that the party would continue to stand by them.
The CJP also called upon Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh to intervene immediately and ensure that all detained protesters are released. It further demanded that all FIRs registered in connection with the protests be withdrawn.
CJP protest lasted 36 days, ended after Pradhan’s resignation
On 15 May, the Chief Justice of India made the “cockroach” remark about the unemployed. In response, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was formed on social media on 16 May. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, arrived in India on 6 June.
From 20 June, protesters began a sit-in at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak issue.
The 36-day protest ended on 25 July, following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Announcing his resignation, Pradhan said that the events of the past 10 days had deeply saddened him and that the issue was not a matter of personal prestige.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who had been fasting alongside students, also ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the government. He is also set to be discharged from Medanta Hospital on Monday.
