New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Tuesday demanded the immediate quashing of FIRs registered against students and protesters during the recent agitation, accusing the government of deliberately delaying the process.
Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Das questioned why the government had not submitted the list of FIRs that the court had asked it to produce for possible quashing. “Don’t play delay tactics with us. We will not accept this,” Das said.
Das said the central issue for the protesting students was the withdrawal of criminal cases registered during the agitation. He argued that students who participated in the protests should not continue to face legal proceedings simply because they took part in demonstrations.
According to Das, the government has identified around 2,800 people with serious criminal backgrounds. He said action against individuals facing unrelated serious criminal allegations was a separate matter, but maintained that genuine student protesters should not be targeted through the FIRs.
The controversy stems from the July 20 Parliament march, organised by the CJP after weeks of student protests and a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The protesters had demanded action over examination-related issues, including alleged paper leaks, and called for broader reforms in the examination system.
The march later witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel after demonstrators attempted to move through barricades towards Parliament. Police used tear gas and a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, while authorities alleged that some protesters engaged in stone-pelting.
Das also claimed that the government had previously given assurances regarding the withdrawal of FIRs and compensation for protesters. He alleged that those commitments had not been fully implemented and accused the authorities of failing to provide a clear response.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it would constitute a high-powered committee to examine allegations of police excesses against student protesters as well as allegations of violence against police personnel during the agitation. The proposed panel is expected to include retired judges and former senior police officials.
The CJP has sought representation on the proposed committee and called for an independent inquiry. Das said the organisation would consider further action if the government failed to honour its commitments.
The dispute over the FIRs therefore remains a major point of contention between the government and the student movement, even as the Supreme Court prepares to examine the wider allegations surrounding the protests.
