Hours after the Supreme Court allowed investigations into FIRs registered against student protesters, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said the condition is not acceptable and the central government must withdraw the FIRs as promised during the negotiations.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told ANI that his party welcomes the ruling of the top court, which is acting in the interest of the youth. However, he pointed out that the protesters have been active on the ground for a long time and their demands must be met. "That is the most important thing," he said.
"One of our key demands was that all FIRs registered against the protesters be withdrawn and that everyone who was detained be released. The government also needs to honour the commitments it made during the press conference," Das added.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court order is different from what the Centre promised the CJP.
"The Supreme Court has now stated that FIRs that were already registered will not be withdrawn. This is not what was discussed in our negotiations with the government... The conditions being imposed by the Supreme Court are not acceptable to us," he added.
Recalling his earlier warning, he reiterated that CJP would protest again if the government fails to honour its assurances. “Whatever the Supreme Court says should be in addition to our demands. Our demands must be met first; the government should then comply with whatever the Supreme Court says or whatever relief it grants. That is our demand," Das clarified.
The apex court ruling on Tuesdsay restrained states from taking any coercive action against protesters, directing the governments to release those under 18 provided they do not have any criminal antecedents. The bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said a fair and independent probe on the matter was required.
"All states are hereby instructed to release children under the age of 18, who have been reported to be arrested or detained in connection with the ongoing protests and who do not possess any criminal antecedents," the bench directed.
The ruling came as the CJP-led march in Delhi on July 20 saw clashes between protesters and security personnel from Delhi Police and CRPF's anti-riot wing Rapid Action Force (RAF). The security personnel allegedly used used lathis, teargas shells and pellet guns to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.
