Kolkata58 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The student-led protest movement known as the “Cockroach Janta Party”, which first emerged in the national capital, is gradually gaining ground in Kolkata, with students from several universities and medical colleges joining demonstrations demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Organisers strongly reject foreign funding allegations
Organisers claim the movement has been receiving increasing support from students across the country and are now preparing for a series of larger protests in the city over the coming weeks.
Speaking to Bhaskar English, Dedipya Ganguly, a member associated with the Kolkata chapter of the movement, said the campaign is entirely student-driven and rejected allegations of political backing or foreign funding.
Protesters defend peaceful democratic student movement
This is a mass movement and we are fighting for the students. People may call us ‘cockroaches,’ and the BJP may allege that we are receiving funds from foreign countries. They are in power and have agencies like the ED, CBI and other central investigating agencies. They are free to send any agency to our homes and verify whether we receive any funding. We are unemployed youth protesting for the future of the students of this nation, while also extending solidarity to activist Sonam Wangchuk.”
Ganguly said.
Police permission sought for upcoming rallies
Claiming that the group has already approached the Kolkata Police for permission to organise demonstrations, Ganguly alleged that no response has been received so far. He said the organisers would continue to follow legal procedures before holding any protest.
We will again seek permission from the police, and if required, we will also move the court to ensure our democratic right to protest. If what happened in Delhi is repeated here and attempts are made to stop or beat us, we know how to face it.
Universities expected to join proposed demonstrations
We are protesting for the youth and for the future of India. Our movement will remain completely peaceful. We will not vandalise any public or government property. Our protest is democratic, and we will continue to raise our voice peacefully.
According to the organisers, the proposed demonstrations are expected to witness participation from students of Jadavpur University, Presidency University, Aliah University, Rabindra Bharati University, several medical colleges, and other educational institutions across Kolkata. They also said they are prepared to take the movement to Delhi if required.
