CJP threatens fresh nationwide stir, says SC order could be 'weaponised' against protesters

The warning comes just days after the CJP called off its month-long protests following the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an agreement with the government.

Supreme Court protects peaceful protesters, allows FIR probe

Hearing a batch of petitions over the alleged use of excessive force against students protesting paper leaks at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and elsewhere, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that no coercive action be taken against peaceful protesters and ordered the release of detained students with no criminal antecedents.

At the same time, the court clarified that governments were free to continue investigations into already registered FIRs.

"The NCT of Delhi and other States may proceed with the investigation of the FIRs registered; however, no coercive measures shall be taken against the protesting students. Such protection, nonetheless, shall not be extended to persons with criminal antecedents," the bench said.

CJP alleges breach of government promise

Reacting to the order, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said it had raised serious concerns over whether the Centre would honour the commitments made during negotiations that ended the protests.

In a post on X, Das claimed the court's direction was at odds with the government's July 25 assurance that FIRs against peaceful protesters would be withdrawn and that participants in the movement would not face direct or indirect retaliation.

"It was on the strength of that solemn assurance, and in complete good faith, that the Cockroach Janta Party called off its nationwide protest," he said.

Fears of FIRs being 'weaponised'

Das alleged that the Centre and BJP-ruled states could use the court's order to continue pursuing cases against protesters.

"We now have a credible apprehension that the Government of India and BJP-ruled states may seek to use and weaponise this order... to continue FIRs against individual protesters and subject them to great harassment. This was precisely our concern from day one—that courts could be used, directly or indirectly, to achieve political ends by targeting peaceful dissent," he said.

He also questioned why the government's lawyers did not object to the court's direction despite being aware of the assurances allegedly given to the protesters.

'Honour the promise or protests will resume'

Calling any dilution of the government's public assurance "surreptitious", Das argued that both the Centre and BJP/NDA-ruled state governments retained the authority to withdraw FIRs against peaceful protesters.

He warned that the government's deadline to fulfil its commitments had expired.

"We once again call upon it to fulfil every commitment it made: withdraw the FIRs, ensure that no protester is subjected to future punitive action, and honour both the letter and the spirit of the assurance that brought an end to the protest," he said.

Warning of renewed demonstrations, Das added, "Failing this, the Cockroach Janta Party will have no option but to resume its nationwide protest... A government that breaks its word cannot expect the youth to remain silent. If the guarantees are dishonoured, the streets of India will once again become the voice of its young."

Similar warning issued a day earlier

The latest statement comes a day after fellow CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka accused the government of a "complete breach" of the agreement, alleging that hundreds of protesters had been arrested despite the understanding reached during negotiations.

He had demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs, the release of detained students and an assurance that no fresh cases would be filed against peaceful protesters, warning that the agitation would otherwise resume.

Background

The CJP launched sustained protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20 over alleged paper leaks, with one of its principal demands being the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Its July 20 Parliament March turned violent, with police using lathicharge, tear gas and pellet guns to disperse demonstrators.

Authorities said more than 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes, while protesters alleged excessive use of force.

Following two rounds of talks with the Centre, Pradhan resigned on Saturday. The CJP subsequently withdrew its agitation after the government assured that peaceful protesters would not face action and announced compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak.