Days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) withdrew its nationwide agitation, the organisation has alleged that protesters are being detained and arrested in different parts of the country. Raising concerns over the reported action, the party has urged the Centre to uphold the assurances it claims were given before the protest was called off.
In a statement issued on behalf of the party, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the decision to end the agitation had come only after the Union government assured the organisation that participants would not face punitive measures in any BJP- or NDA-ruled state. "The Cockroach Janta Party had called off its nationwide protest only after the Government of India assured us that no punitive action would be taken against any protestor, either now or in the future, in any BJP-ruled or NDA-ruled states. The reports emerging from these states are therefore a matter of grave concern," Das said.
According to the CJP, one of its principal conditions during discussions with the government was that no FIRs would be lodged against those who took part in the protests. The party has now appealed to Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to intervene, alleging that the reported detentions run contrary to the assurances extended during negotiations. "We call upon the Government of India, particularly @JPNadda ji and @DrJitendraSingh ji, to immediately honour the assurance given to us by ensuring the release of those detained and by directing that no coercive or retaliatory action is taken against any protestor anywhere in the country. The FIRs registered ought to be withdrawn too," the statement said.