The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will hold a crucial National Working Committee meeting on Monday, August 24 to review the status of assurances given by the Centre that led the party to call off its nationwide agitation last month. With the party alleging that several commitments remain unfulfilled, the meeting will consider all options, including another peaceful nationwide agitation.
The CJP has particularly raised concerns over the lack of progress on three key assurances: withdrawal or quashing of FIRs registered against students and protesters, a guarantee that students and peaceful protesters will not face punitive action, and compensation for the families of deceased NEET victims.
The party said the government delegation that held talks with the CJP has not formally communicated the steps being taken to fulfil these commitments. It has warned that any attempt to “dilute, delay, reinterpret or dishonour” the assurances would amount to “vishwasghaat” (betrayal) of the country’s youth.
What assurances are still pending?
1. Withdrawal or quashing of all protest-related FIRs
The CJP’s primary demand is the withdrawal or quashing of FIRs registered against students and protesters in connection with the protests.
The issue came up before the Supreme Court on August 18, when the court asked the Union government three separate times to provide a consolidated list of FIRs registered against students and protesters across the country.
According to the CJP, the list would have allowed the Supreme Court to consider using its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash the cases together.
However, the party said the Centre did not commit to providing the list despite the court repeatedly seeking it. The CJP has cited this as a major concern over whether the assurance on FIRs is being implemented.
2. Guarantee against punitive action against students, peaceful protesters
The CJP also says the Centre had committed that no student or peaceful protester would face punitive action in the future.
The party described the assurance as unambiguous and linked it to its decision to withdraw the nationwide agitation.
The CJP has now warned that any attempt to move away from this commitment would constitute a breach of trust.
The party is seeking clarity from the government on how this assurance is being implemented and what safeguards are being put in place to ensure students and peaceful protesters do not face punitive action.
3. Compensation for families of deceased NEET victims
Compensation for the families of deceased NEET victims is the third major commitment the CJP says remains pending.
The party has demanded “honourable compensation” for the families of those who died after the NEET-UG examination was cancelled amid the paper leak controversy.
The CJP said the government delegation involved in talks with the party has not formally reached out to place on record the steps being taken to fulfil this commitment. The party is seeking a written assurance on the issue.
What has the Centre already conceded?
The CJP has said its earlier agitation resulted in the resignation of then-education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
However, the party maintains that the resignation was only one outcome of the agitation and that it will not consider its commitments fulfilled until the remaining assurances are implemented.
“The protests achieved Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation but rest assured, we will not rest until each and every commitment made to the young generation is fulfilled,” the party said.
Why is CJP considering another march?
The party’s immediate concern is what it describes as a lack of formal communication from the government on the implementation of the assurances.
The August 18 Supreme Court hearing has further heightened the CJP’s concerns. The party said the court repeatedly sought a consolidated list of FIRs but the Centre did not commit to providing it, despite the list potentially allowing the court to consider quashing the cases under Article 142.
Following the hearing, CJP co-convener Saurav Das and legal affairs lead Ratna Singh warned that the government appeared to be attempting to “cheat” the younger generation after the party withdrew its agitation based on commitments made during talks.
The CJP has accused the government of failing to formally place on record the steps being taken on the FIRs and compensation. It has warned that its decision to call off the agitation was based on the Centre’s word and that this “good faith” should not be mistaken for weakness.
What happens next?
The National Working Committee meeting on August 24 will assess the status of the commitments and decide the party’s next course of action.
The CJP has said “all measures necessary” to secure fulfilment of the government’s commitments will be considered, including another round of peaceful nationwide agitation. It has also asked students, young citizens, supporters and volunteers to remain prepared for the outcome of the meeting.
The party had called off its nationwide agitation on July 25 after the government gave assurances to the youth. It now says those commitments must be honoured “both, in letter and in spirit”.
The CJP’s Monday meeting will therefore be closely watched for whether the party gives the Centre more time to act on the assurances or decides to revive its nationwide mobilisation.
