Days after suspending its 36-day nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has accused authorities in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar of detaining and arresting students and other protesters despite assurances from the Centre that no punitive action would be taken.
In a statement shared by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das on Monday, the organisation claimed it had received multiple reports of police action against peaceful demonstrators and urged the immediate release of those detained, withdrawal of all FIRs and an end to any retaliatory measures.
The party said it had called off its protest only after Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh assured its leadership that protesters would not face legal consequences. CJP also reminded the Centre of its promise to issue a written guarantee formalising these commitments.
Shortly after the statement, reports suggested that government representatives shared draft notifications indicating that Assam and Bihar would withdraw protest-related cases and release detainees, although the organisation said it was still awaiting written assurances from the Union government and other states.
CJP Raises Fresh Concerns
The latest dispute has reopened questions over the implementation of commitments made during negotiations that ended one of the country’s largest student-led protest movements in recent months.
According to CJP, students who participated in peaceful demonstrations continue to face detention and arrests in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar despite explicit assurances from the Centre that no punitive action would be taken either immediately or in the future.
In its statement, the organisation described these reports as “a matter of grave concern” and said any departure from the government’s assurances would amount to a breach of trust with thousands of young Indians who chose dialogue over prolonged protests.
The organisation said its legal team had begun coordinating with lawyers across the affected states to secure the release of detainees and extend legal assistance wherever required. It also appealed directly to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, urging them to intervene and ensure that all detained protesters are released, no coercive action is taken anywhere in the country and all FIRs registered against peaceful demonstrators are withdrawn. “
Our decision to suspend the nationwide protest was taken in good faith and solely on the basis of the government’s assurance that it would stand by its word,” the statement said, adding that the Centre had also committed to providing a written guarantee by Tuesday. CJP warned that if the reported arrests continued or the promised assurances were not honoured, it would be compelled to consider “further necessary steps.”
From Protest To Negotiations
The current controversy stems from a nationwide movement launched by CJP on June 20 over alleged irregularities in public examinations, particularly the NEET-UG examination process.
Over the following weeks, the protests spread across several states, drawing participation from students, parents, education activists and civil society groups demanding greater transparency and accountability in the examination system.
One of the defining moments of the agitation was activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day hunger strike, which became the symbolic centrepiece of the campaign and intensified public attention on the issue.
Following weeks of demonstrations and negotiations, CJP suspended its 36-day protest after discussions with the Centre. According to the organisation, the government agreed to several key demands, including the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, commitments towards examination reforms and assurances that peaceful protesters would neither face retaliation nor continued legal proceedings.
The latest allegations have therefore shifted the focus from examination reforms to concerns about civil liberties and the implementation of promises made during negotiations. Soon after CJP’s latest statement, reports indicated that government representatives met the organisation and shared draft notifications from the Bihar and Assam governments proposing the withdrawal of protest-related FIRs and release of detainees.
Assam later announced that it would begin withdrawing cases linked to the protests, while Bihar also indicated that similar action would follow. However, CJP has maintained that it will consider the matter resolved only after receiving formal written guarantees from the Centre and other BJP- and NDA-ruled states.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Peaceful protest remains a vital pillar of any democracy, just as governments have a responsibility to maintain law and order within the framework of the Constitution. When negotiations between citizens and the state result in assurances that encourage dialogue over confrontation, honouring those commitments becomes essential to preserving public trust.
Allegations of arrests after such assurances whether ultimately substantiated or clarified highlight the importance of transparency, accountability and timely communication between governments, law enforcement agencies and citizens. Equally, any claims of unlawful detention or misuse of legal provisions should be examined fairly and independently, while governments should clearly communicate the status of any promised actions to avoid confusion and mistrust.
Also read: CJP Announces Legal Aid Website, Secures ₹1 Crore Support to Help Protesters Fight Legal Cases
