'Empty promises': Cockroach Janta Party warns of another Jantar Mantar-like protest, accuses Centre of 'vishwasghat'

CJP Announces September 5 March

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday called for a protest march in Delhi on September 5, accusing the Centre of failing to honour commitments that had led the outfit to end its 36-day agitation over alleged examination irregularities. The march, planned for Teachers' Day, will begin at India Gate and proceed towards the Delhi Police Headquarters, according to a statement from the group.

The march will be led by families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET examination and the subsequent re-test, along with people allegedly subjected to police excesses during the July agitation. The decision was taken at a meeting of the CJP National Working Committee on Monday, a month after the outfit withdrew its agitation following negotiations with the Centre.

"Our patience cannot be mistaken for weakness. Our good faith cannot become an opportunity for the government to betray the young people of this country," the CJP said.

Background of the Agitation

The outfit, which began as a satirical online platform before developing into a youth movement, launched its agitation at Jantar Mantar on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the examination system and the NEET paper leak. The protests subsequently spread to other parts of the country. On July 20, a CJP-led march to Parliament descended into chaos and violence after police cracked down on protesters, leaving scores injured.

The agitation ended on July 25 after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister and the government, following talks with CJP representatives, agreed to the outfit's other demands. These included compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters. Both sides also agreed to hold further discussions on broader examination reforms. CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka announced the withdrawal of the protest at a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Accusations of Betrayal

In a separate statement, the CJP accused the Centre of betraying the youth and breaking their trust. "We will not allow the Government to insult an entire generation by making promises to end a peaceful movement and then attempting to wriggle out of those very promises once the streets have emptied. A commitment made to the youth of India must be honoured both, in letter and in spirit," the CJP wrote.

The group highlighted that despite repeated requests from the court over the FIRs filed against student protesters for quashing, the government has yet to provide a list. "The Union Government did not commit to providing it. At the press conference immediately thereafter, CJP Co-Convener Saurav Das and Legal Affairs Lead Ratna Singh warned that the Government appears to be attempting to cheat the young generation of this country after securing the withdrawal of our agitation on the basis of solemn commitments at the joint PC," the statement said.

The CJP added that any attempt to dilute, delay, reinterpret or dishonour the commitments made would constitute an unacceptable breach of trust and a 'vishwasghaat' with the youngsters of the country.

Next Steps

The CJP also stated that its National Working Committee will convene on August 24 to decide its course of action and warned of another potential stir. "We therefore request students, young citizens, supporters and CJP volunteers across the country to remain prepared for what's next on August 24," the group said. It also noted that no government delegation has reached out regarding steps taken on commitments, including monetary compensation to families of NEET students who died by suicide.

The CJP appealed to students, youth organisations and young people to participate in the September 5 march while stressing that the demonstration would remain peaceful. "The families who lost their children will walk at the front. Victims of police brutality will walk beside them. Behind them will walk a generation demanding only one thing from its government: Keep your word," the group said.