The CJP launched its agitation against examination paper leaks at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20, with one of its key demands being the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned of reviving its nationwide protests, accusing the Centre of using the Supreme Court's recent observations on cases linked to the anti-paper leak agitation to avoid its earlier assurance to withdraw FIRs against peaceful protesters.
The warning follows the Supreme Court's order directing that no coercive action be taken against peaceful protesters while allowing investigations into existing FIRs to continue. Hearing a batch of petitions on the alleged use of excessive force against students protesting examination paper leaks at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and other locations, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also ordered the release of detained protesters with no prior criminal record.
Speaking to IANS, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that the government had previously assured student protesters that no new FIRs would be registered and that existing cases would be withdrawn.
"After the Supreme Court's order in the PILs related to our protests, the government is now saying the matter is sub judice, citing the court's observation that investigations into existing FIRs can continue," Das said.
He claimed the organisation had expected a written assurance from the Centre by Tuesday but had received none.
"We have not received that assurance yet, and the government is using the Supreme Court's order as an excuse to call the issue sub judice," he added.
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Das argued that the Supreme Court's order does not prevent governments from withdrawing FIRs, saying the power to do so rests with the executive.
"Nowhere in the Supreme Court's order is it written that FIRs cannot be withdrawn. The power solely lies with the government. The government should fulfil the guarantees it gave us," he said.
Warning of fresh demonstrations, Das said the organisation would "once again take to the streets" if the assurances were not honoured.
He also alleged that protesters in states including Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh continued to face harassment and legal action.
"There are apprehensions that protesters are being harassed or targeted, and FIRs have already been registered against some of them. We demanded from the beginning that all protesters across the country be protected and that all FIRs against them be withdrawn," he said.
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The CJP launched its agitation against examination paper leaks at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 20, with one of its key demands being the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement culminated in a Parliament March on July 20, during which protesters clashed with security personnel. Police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, while more than 118 police personnel were also injured during the violence.
Following two rounds of talks with the Centre, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday. The CJP subsequently called off its 37-day protest after the government assured it that no action would be be taken against peaceful protesters and that compensation would be provided to the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy.
Published: 29 Jul 2026, 10:35 am IST
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Shalini Chandran
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