The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced on Tuesday that it would restart its nationwide protest movement if the Indian Centre does not honor its July 25 commitments to withdraw First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against peaceful protesters. The CJP also raised significant concerns regarding an interim order from the Supreme Court, suggesting it could jeopardize the government's previously made assurances.
This warning comes just days after the CJP suspended its nationwide Gen-Z protests on July 25, following discussions with central authorities and the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das stated that the deadline for the government to implement these commitments expires today, Tuesday.
Supreme Court Order Raises Alarm
The CJP expressed deep concern over an interim order issued by the Supreme Court in a series of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) related to the protests. The party alleges that Direction No. 4 of the order permits governments to proceed with existing FIRs and investigations, which directly contradicts the assurances given by the Centre.
"It was on the strength of that solemn assurance, and in complete good faith, that the Cockroach Janta Party called off its nationwide protest," Das stated, emphasizing that the party suspended its agitation based on promises that FIRs would be withdrawn and no participant would face punitive action.
CJP Demands Government Action
The party further alleged that both the Centre and BJP-ruled states might leverage the Supreme Court's interim order to continue legal proceedings against protesters. It questioned why government lawyers did not oppose this specific direction, despite being aware of the ongoing negotiations and assurances made to the CJP, which reportedly continued until late Monday night.
Calling the development "wholly unacceptable," the CJP stressed that public assurances made to thousands of students should not be weakened by subsequent legal proceedings. The party urged the Centre and BJP/NDA-ruled state governments to formally inform the Supreme Court about the July 25 assurances. They argued that the court must be aware of the commitments that led to the suspension of the nationwide agitation.
The CJP reiterated its demands: the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs, a guarantee that no protester will face future punitive action, and the full honoring of the letter and spirit of the July 25 assurances. The party warned that if these commitments are not fulfilled by the end of Tuesday, it will have "no option but to restart its nationwide protest to protect the students and young people who participated in the movement."