CJP accuses Delhi Police of ‘laying siege’ to Jantar Mantar, demands immediate end to restrictions
In its ‘important statement’, the party demanded that the Delhi Police “immediately cease and desist” detaining or intimidating people trying to join the protest and allow unimpeded access to volunteers, lawyers, journalists, family members and medical staff.
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The statement came hours ahead of a fresh round of talks between CJP leaders and the Centre, following a nearly two-hour meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh on Friday. The government stated that an “in principle” agreement has been reached to provide compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide. NEET-UG debate and withdrawing FIRs against peaceful protesters, the two parties are divided on the CJP’s key demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Ahead of the meeting, CJP leaders said that while they were seeking a clear “yes or no” answer on Pradhan’s resignation, they were awaiting written confirmation of the government’s assurances on compensation and legal protection. The party claimed that the agitation at Jantar Mantar will continue until the minister resigns.
In its latest statement shared by CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das, the youth-led party claimed that people were detained just for trying to reach Jantar Mantar, volunteers carrying food were stopped, drinking water, medicine and cleaning materials were prevented from reaching the protesters.
Follow live updates of CJP protest in Delhi Calling Jantar Mantar “India’s designated area for democratic dissent”, the party said those gathered at the site were exercising their constitutional rights peacefully and were not “criminals” or “enemies of the State”.
The CJP also called on the Delhi Police Commissioner to direct officers to immediately end the alleged restrictions, ensure uninterrupted access to essential supplies and avoid creating what it called an atmosphere of fear around the protest site.
The party said, “The Constitution belongs to the people. Jantar Mantar belongs to the people. The police exists to protect both, not to surround both.”
