The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has withdrawn its proposed September 5 march in Delhi after chief spokesperson Saurav Das told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the outfit would call off the mobilisation in view of the Centre’s assurance and the orders expected from the court.
The decision follows the Centre’s move to seek quashing of 13 FIRs linked to the July protests, while Delhi Police has sought permission to register one fresh case concerning 2,873 people it says have serious criminal antecedents. Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Assam have separately approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing of 116 FIRs linked to the protests.
The development comes after the CJP had accused the Centre of failing to honour commitments made on July 25, prompting it to announce a fresh march from India Gate to Delhi Police Headquarters. The Supreme Court had on Monday declined to stop the proposed march, saying organisers and authorities should act peacefully and within the law.
FIRs At Centre Of Dispute
The immediate trigger for the CJP’s renewed mobilisation was its claim that the government had not fully implemented assurances made when its 36-day agitation was withdrawn on July 25. Among its key concerns was the promised withdrawal or quashing of cases against students and peaceful protesters.
On August 24, the CJP announced the September 5 march, with Das accusing the Centre of a “vishwasghaat” betrayal and saying the protest would remain peaceful. The march was planned to be led by families of students who died by suicide following the NEET examination controversy and people who alleged police excesses during the July agitation.
The government’s latest legal move has now addressed a central part of that dispute. On August 31, Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that it no longer wished to pursue 13 FIRs registered over the July 20-25 protests and sought their quashing under Article 142 of the Constitution.
These cases include allegations involving rioting, attempt to murder and damage to public property. However, the police also sought permission to register a separate FIR against 2,873 people whom it says have serious criminal antecedents, with the proposed investigation intended to establish whether they were involved in violence or property damage.
Four States Join Legal Push
The issue has also moved beyond Delhi. Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Assam have approached the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of a combined 116 FIRs arising from the July student protests. Bihar has sought relief for 69 FIRs, Maharashtra for 34, West Bengal for eight and Assam for five. The states have cited the Centre’s July 25 commitment and asked the Supreme Court to exercise its powers under Article 142.
The developments came shortly after the Supreme Court considered a plea seeking to stop the CJP’s September 5 march. On August 31, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, declined to issue an immediate prohibition.
The bench said it expected both protesters and authorities to respect the law and conduct themselves peacefully. “From both sides, we are expecting that they will respect, they will conduct themselves and they will follow the law of the land,” the court said.
For the CJP, Tuesday’s decision to withdraw the march reflects a preference for allowing the court-led process to take its course rather than escalating the confrontation on the streets. For the Centre and police, the proposed quashing of the 13 FIRs represents an attempt to honour the July commitment while retaining the ability to investigate people whom authorities say have serious criminal backgrounds. The Supreme Court’s eventual orders will determine how the cases are ultimately resolved.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The withdrawal of the September 5 march is a welcome opportunity for dialogue to replace confrontation. Peaceful protest is an important democratic right, but so is ensuring that legitimate concerns are addressed through transparent and lawful processes. The Centre’s decision to seek relief on the FIRs, the states’ participation and the CJP’s decision to suspend its mobilisation show how negotiation and judicial oversight can help prevent tensions from escalating.
At the same time, any distinction between peaceful protesters and people accused of violence must be based on evidence and due process, rather than broad labels. Young people and their families deserve to be heard with dignity, while authorities must ensure accountability without collective punishment.
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