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'Not acceptable': CJP claims Supreme Court order on student FIRs contradicts govt promises
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the Supreme Court should not be ‘politicised’ and its orders ‘weaponised’ for the government’s ‘gains’.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Tuesday said the Supreme Court's interim order allowed authorities to continue investigating FIRs registered during the nationwide student protests. The order was contrary to the assurances given by the Centre during negotiations that ended the protests at Jantar Mantar, the CJP said.
Chief spokesperson Saurav Das said that the party’s understanding with the government was that FIRs against protesters would be withdrawn.
“The Supreme Court has now said that FIRs that were already registered will not be withdrawn. This is not what was discussed in our negotiations with the government,” Das said in an interview.
"Our understanding with the government was different, and we expect it to fulfil the assurances it gave us. The conditions being imposed by the Supreme Court are not acceptable to us,” he added.
SC must not be ‘politicised’
On X, Saurav Das said the Supreme Court should not be "politicised" for the government's gains and its orders should not be used to target genuine protesters.
"The Supreme Court cannot be politicised for government’s gains. Its orders cannot be weaponised to achieve those gains. A solemn guarantee was given before the nation. Those ought to be honoured. All FIRs ought to be withdrawn," Das said.
He added that if any criminals were found among protesters, police ought to take action through legal procedures instead of using FIRs to target others.
"If criminals roamed, police must apply for cancellation of bail in their old cases. Must also answer why they were roaming so freely in society. But government can’t use this excuse to pursue FIRs so it can later target genuine protesters," he said.
Das added that the youth would not accept such action and said the CJP would continue to support protesters who participated in the movement.
Das said the Supreme Court’s order should be seen as "in addition" to the CJP’s demands and asked the government to honour its commitments made to protesters.
ALSO READ | Supreme Court orders all states to release protesting students under 18, those with no criminal records
"If the Supreme Court is acting in the interest of the youth, we welcome such orders or judgments. We, on the other hand, have been active on the ground for a long time, and we have certain demands that must be met; that is the most important thing," Das told ANI earlier in the day.
He said one of the party's key demands was the withdrawal of all FIRs against protesters and an assurance that no retaliatory action would be taken against them in the future.
"We expected a written guarantee regarding this to be issued by today (Tuesday), and for all those detained or arrested to be released," he said. Das said the party had already announced at a press conference on Monday that it would be "compelled to call for a major protest in Delhi once again" if the government failed to keep its word.
"Whatever the Supreme Court says should be 'in addition' to our demands. Our demands must be met first; the government should then comply with whatever the Supreme Court says or whatever relief it grants. That is our demand," he said.
He and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke have warned that the party would launch another nationwide protest if the government failed to keep its promises.
ALSO READ | Abhijeet Dipke warns govt of 'massive protest' if 'witch-hunting' of students does not stop
What is the Supreme Court order?
The Supreme Court, in its interim order, said no coercive action should be taken against student protesters without a criminal record in cases linked to the CJP protests.
It ordered the release of eligible detained students, asked authorities to preserve CCTV footage and other electronic evidence, and called for a fair investigation into the injuries suffered by both protesters and police personnel. The court, though, did not order the withdrawal of existing FIRs and allowed investigations to continue.
‘Massive betrayal of youth’
Das said he met government representatives on Tuesday evening, during which they showed him the Supreme Court order, which allowed investigations into existing FIRs to continue.
Das said the government cited the Supreme Court’s written order to argue that the matter had become sub judice. He added that he sought a written guarantee from officials but had received no response till Tuesday 11 pm.
"I want to tell the government: you are about to commit a massive betrayal of the country's youth. We have made it clear that we will not accept any order or decision that violates the guarantee given by the government. You must honour the promises made to the students," Das said.
He added that the government must keep its word on any future decisions taken in the interest of students, warning that failure to do so would force the CJP to announce another major protest in Delhi and other states.
"We will launch a nationwide protest once again, as we remain committed to working in the best interests of students," he said.
CJP questions order
Earlier, Das alleged that BJP-ruled states could use the court’s order to continue proceedings against protesters. He also criticised the Centre for not informing the Supreme Court about the alleged agreement reached with the CJP before the interim order was passed.
He, though, said the court had not directed governments to continue with the FIRs and added that the executive still had the power to withdraw them. The CJP spokesperson asked the Centre and BJP/NDA-ruled state governments to place the terms of the alleged assurance before the Supreme Court for its consideration.
"The deadline for the Government of India to honour its guarantees expires today," Das said in the statement.
CJP's ‘protest’ warning
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Monday also called on the Centre, particularly Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, to ensure that no charges were filed against protesters.
On X, Ranka demanded the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs, the release of detained students and a commitment that no future cases would be filed against protesters by the Delhi Police, central investigative agencies or police in BJP-allied states.
"Failing which we will be forced to sit on protest again," he wrote.
Addressing a press conference alongside Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, Ranka said the government was expected to share a written agreement on Tuesday outlining the commitments made to the CJP.
He said if the agreement was not shared and detained students were not released, the party would have no option but to restart its protests.
Assurances from Bihar, Assam, Rajasthan
Earlier in the day, the CJP said it had received notifications from the Bihar and Assam governments withdrawing cases against protesters. They were also assured that no action would be taken against protesters in Rajasthan, Saurav Das said.
