New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had resigned after acceding to a key demand of students protesting under the banner of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP). The central government had promised the protesting students that cases filed against demonstrators across the country would be withdrawn and compensation provided. Meanwhile, the CJP has accused the government of implicating students in serious criminal charges in several states.
The government has promised to provide a written assurance by July 28. Only one day remains for the government to do so. If the BJP or its allies continue to treat students this way, the youth will be forced to take to the streets again. These remarks were made by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das.
Major statement by CJP leader
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das has alleged that police are intimidating students in Delhi and other BJP-ruled states. He recalled that during a press conference, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh had assured them on behalf of the government that no FIRs would be registered against protesting students, existing FIRs would be withdrawn, and no vindictive legal action would be taken against them in the future.
He noted that the central government had agreed to provide this assurance in writing, and tomorrow is the deadline for it. He stated that they are receiving reports from various states across the country about harsh actions being taken; students are being detained, and mass FIRs are being registered.
500 cases registered in Bihar: Saurav Das
The CJP spokesperson claimed that 500 FIRs involving serious charges have been filed in Bihar so far. He asserted that the government must honour the guarantee it gave them and fulfil the promises made to the country’s youth.
He added that their conditions included the stipulation that these measures apply not only to Delhi but also to states governed by the BJP and its allies. “We are awaiting that letter from the central government and hope to receive it by tomorrow,” he said.
Objection raised over the removal of social media posts
Reacting to the removal of social media posts containing crude remarks about PM Modi, Saurav Das asked, “What constitutes ‘offensive’? Is a joke offensive? Is a statement offensive? What is offensive to you might not be offensive to us.” He added that something considered offensive by us might not be viewed the same way by others.
Therefore, if the police are granted such leeway, they could use it as a tool for censorship, which is precisely what is happening right now. If someone makes a lighthearted joke about the Prime Minister,r well, is the Prime Minister a god? People will inevitably make jokes; it is part of democracy. Yet, such content is being taken down.”
