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CJP has warned that it may resume nationwide protests (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has warned that it may resume nationwide protests if criminal cases against students involved in the recent demonstrations are not withdrawn. The warning came a day after the Supreme Court directed authorities to release minors detained during the protests but allowed investigations into existing FIRs to continue.
The court's order has triggered different responses from state governments, with Maharashtra and West Bengal taking initial steps to soften their approach toward those booked in connection with the protests.
The Supreme Court directed the release of minors who had been arrested or detained during the student protests. However, it also clarified that authorities may continue investigating FIRs already registered in connection with the demonstrations.
The order has become the centre of debate, with student groups and CJP arguing that allowing FIRs to remain active could still lead to harassment of protesters.
Expressing concern over the court's decision to let investigations continue, CJP said the assurance given by the government to withdraw cases appears incomplete.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das stated that the organisation fears the FIRs could still be used against student protesters. He urged the Centre and BJP-led state governments to withdraw all pending cases, pointing out that Bihar and Assam have already announced such decisions.
According to the party, if the cases are not withdrawn completely, it may restart its protest campaign.
The Maharashtra government has initiated the process of withdrawing cases linked to the student protests. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, directed the Home Department to begin the legal process while instructing police not to take any coercive action against those named in the FIRs.
Officials said this means there will be no fresh detentions, police visits to the accused, or other coercive measures while the legal process is examined. Around 20 FIRs were registered in Mumbai alone, with more than 1,000 people booked during the protests.
The West Bengal government also announced that it would not take coercive action against students named in protest-related cases.
However, the state clarified that the protection would not apply to individuals with criminal antecedents. Authorities said one police case had resulted in the arrest of 16 people, all of whom were later granted bail by a Kolkata court.
The state also noted that six additional cases remain under investigation following complaints by journalists who alleged they were assaulted during the demonstrations.
In Kerala, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan directed the Home Department to examine the demand for withdrawing protest-related cases after Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan raised the issue.
Government sources said the matter is under review, while police indicated that many of the registered cases involve bailable offences related to unlawful assembly.
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Earlier this week, the governments of Bihar and Assam announced the withdrawal of FIRs registered in connection with the student protests.
CJP has cited these decisions as examples, arguing that other states can also withdraw pending cases through executive action despite the Supreme Court allowing investigations to continue.
While Maharashtra has started the legal process for withdrawal and West Bengal has paused coercive action, the future of thousands of protest-related cases across India remains uncertain.
CJP has made it clear that unless governments formally withdraw the FIRs, the possibility of fresh nationwide protests remains on the table.
