Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 30: The Delhi government on Thursday announced that it does not intend to initiate any further adverse legal action against individuals who participated in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, while clarifying that the relief will not apply to persons with criminal antecedents, in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines.
In a statement issued by the Delhi Home Department, the government said cases related to the protest would be reviewed and that those detained or arrested during the agitation would be released after the review process is completed.
"The Government of NCT of Delhi does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account," the order stated. It added that the decision had been approved by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
The announcement follows similar decisions by the governments of Bihar and Assam after the CJP called off its agitation following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister over alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination.
Despite ending the protest, the CJP has alleged that cases registered against protesters in Delhi and BJP-ruled states have not yet been withdrawn. The organisation has warned that it will resume its agitation if the government fails to implement the assurances given during talks.
The CJP has also criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Union Education Minister.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the appointment and made allegations against the government, claiming it was sending the wrong message by appointing a minister whom he accused of making objectionable remarks.
He also alleged that the government was lenient towards convicted criminals and warned that the CJP would intensify its protests if its demands were not met.
There was no immediate response from the Union government to Dipke's remarks.