India, Aug. 4 -- The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's clarification on cases registered against students involved in the nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak, describing the development as a significant relief for young protesters. The organisation also urged governments across states to act quickly and ensure that the court's observations are implemented without delay. Addressing reporters, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the apex court had made it clear that state governments are free to withdraw FIRs, file closure reports, or adopt any other legally permissible procedure to bring such cases to an end. Also Read - 'INSV Kaundinya may undertake Odisha-Bali voyage' According to him, the clarification would prevent peaceful student protesters from facing long-term legal consequences. Das also pointed out that the Supreme Court had explained the meaning of the term "criminal antecedents" used in its earlier order. He said "the court specified that the expression applies only to individuals accused of serious offences such as murder or rape and not to students who had participated in protests or political demonstrations." He added that the organisation was awaiting the detailed written order but viewed the oral observations as a major victory for the student movement. Also Read - Three cyber fraud suspects held at Sealdah station The clarification came during the hearing of petitions related to the police action against students who marched towards Parliament on July 20, demanding accountability over examination paper leaks and wider reforms in the country's examination system. The protest, organised by the CJP after weeks of demonstrations and a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, ended in clashes after police used tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. While protesters alleged excessive force, Delhi Police maintained that action was taken only after some demonstrators turned violent. Meanwhile, the CJP announced that its leadership will hold a two-day strategy meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar beginning August 5 to decide the organisation's future roadmap. Also Read - Gujarat: 22 children die of Chandipura virus this monsoon The meeting will include founder Abhijeet Dipke, senior office-bearers and core volunteers who participated in the recent agitation. Das said the organisation also plans to launch a nationwide listening tour to gather suggestions from young people following what it described as the successful campaign that culminated in the resignation of former Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dipke, however, ruled out any possibility of transforming the organisation into a political party. He argued that declining public trust in political institutions made a mass public movement more relevant than electoral politics. Responding to questions over his education, Dipke said he was prepared to make public his scholarship and education loan documents related to his studies at Boston University. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to similarly disclose his academic degree, asserting that his own overseas education had been financed through scholarships and an education loan.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.