CJP announces Sept 5 march to Delhi Police HQ

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a peaceful protest march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5, accusing the Centre of failing to fulfil commitments that led to the withdrawal of the students' movement on July 25, as reported by India Today.

In a statement on X, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das described the march as peaceful and warned that the party "will not accept this vishwasghaat (betrayal) with Gen Z, the young protesters, and the families of those who died." He expressed doubts over whether the Narendra Modi government intended to keep the promises made to student protesters on July 25.

"The National Working Committee expressed serious doubts over whether the Government of India intends to honour its commitments made to the young generation on July 25. Therefore, a peaceful protest march is called for which will start at the India Gate all the way till the new Delhi Police Headquarters. The protest will be led by the families of the NEET students who died by suicide and victims of July 20 police brutality," Das said.

Background: The July 25 withdrawal

The CJP called off its nationwide agitation on July 25 after the government gave its word to the young people of the country, as per the party's account. The party said it acted in good faith, but would not allow that good faith to be mistaken for weakness.

The assurances, as described by the CJP, included the withdrawal or quashing of all FIRs arising from the protests, a guarantee that no student or peaceful protester would face punitive action in future, and compensation for the families of NEET-UG candidates who died by suicide after the test was cancelled in May due to paper leaks. The party said these assurances were made publicly at a joint press conference on July 25.

CJP's campaign sought action in the NEET paper leak controversy and compensation for the deceased victims. The resignation of then-education minister Dharmendra Pradhan was one outcome of the agitation, but the party said it would not rest until every commitment is fulfilled.

Review meeting and next steps

The CJP's National Working Committee will hold a meeting on August 24 to assess the situation and decide the party's next course of action. The party said the government is yet to formally communicate the steps being taken to fulfil the assurances made during talks. The government delegation that held talks with the party did not formally reach out to place on record the steps being taken, including on FIRs and compensation.

The party said all steps to secure fulfilment of the commitments would be considered, including the possibility of launching another peaceful nationwide agitation. It has asked students, young citizens, its supporters and volunteers to remain prepared for the outcome of its Monday meeting.

The party also accused the Centre of playing "delay games, hidden behind technicalities, and avoided giving clear commitments even before the Supreme Court of India." It warned that any attempt to "dilute, delay, reinterpret or honour" the commitments would amount to "vishwasghaat" of the country's youth.

Supreme Court involvement

The Supreme Court on August 18 sought a consolidated list of FIRs registered against students and protesters across the country. According to the CJP, the court asked the Centre three times to provide the list so that it could consider exercising its powers under Article 142 to quash the cases. However, despite the repeated requests, the Union government did not commit to providing it.

Immediately after the hearing, CJP's co-convener Saurav Das and legal affairs lead Ratna Singh raised concern that the government appeared to be "cheating" the younger generation.

The party also said the written assurance from the government to the CJP is due.

March details and participation

The march on September 5 will start at India Gate and proceed to the New Delhi Police Headquarters. It will be led by families of deceased NEET victims and victims of police brutality, and will be joined by students, youth organisations and young citizens from across the country. The party said the protest will remain peaceful and democratic.

Additional context

Separately, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka demanded the arrest of those involved in the alleged violence during the party workers' visit to a government school in Jaipur's Rampura-Kanwarpura village. Ranka said the Rajasthan government must act on the FIRs filed in connection with the incident, and that the party was ready to face action if there was evidence against its own workers.

The CJP continues its 'school thik karo' initiative across the country.

Fresh guidelines issued to Delhi Police personnel advised officers to remain calm during protests, avoid provocation, and assume their conduct will be recorded.